The political defiance that made Joe Arpaio popular and seemingly untouchable as metro Phoenix's sheriff of 24 years ultimately led to his downfall Monday as he was convicted of a crime for ignoring a U.S. court order to stop traffic patrols that targeted immigrants. Arpaio told The Associated Press that he didn't have an immediate comment on the verdict, but his attorneys said they will appeal. Lydia Guzman, a Latino civil rights advocate and longtime Arpaio critic, said the sheriff was partly responsible for Arizona's reputation as a place that's intolerant of immigrants. The sheriff had acknowledged prolonging his patrols for nearly a year and a half but insisted it was not intentional. Trump used some of the same immigration rhetoric that helped make Arpaio a national figure in the debate over the U.S.-Mexico border.

Source: ABC News July 31, 2017 18:40 UTC