‘Sheriff Joe’ Arpaio wants Sessions to testify at contempt trial: report

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s lawyers reportedly want Attorney General Jeff Sessions to testify as a witness in his criminal contempt trial, according to a new report.

The Arizona Republic said Sessions’s name appears on a list of desired witnesses in a federal court filing late Wednesday.

The contempt charge stems from Arpaio allegedly disobeying a 2011 court order issued by U.S. District Judge Murray Snow that required him to cease his immigration enforcement patrols, which critics said were racially biased against Latinos.

{mosads}Arpaio pleaded not guilty to the contempt charge in October of last year, claiming his disobedience was unintentional. The charge carries up to six months in jail upon conviction.

The former sheriff lost his reelection bid in November, ending a 24-year career in the post that saw him rise to national prominence due to his hard-line stance on illegal immigration.

Arpaio was a vocal supporter of President Trump during his election campaign last year, particularly, like Sessions, on immigration issues.

The former sheriff’s current lawyers helped convince a federal judge to delay the start of his trial from April 25 to June, the Republic said.