Federal marshals seize evidence from Arpaio’s office

I suppose most of my readers have already heard about this. Judge Snow called an emergency session of court Friday after learning that some 50 hard drives of material related to Dennis Montgomery and the “Seattle Operation” still hadn’t been turned over to the Court Monitor. Further some 1,500 IDs (presumably drivers licenses, etc. confiscated by the office during traffic stops) were slated for destruction before Judge Snow ordered them turned over to the Monitor. These identify potential plaintiffs in the Melendres v. Arpaio class action lawsuit.

Six federal marshals went to the Sheriff’s Office and took possession of the material.

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38 Responses to Federal marshals seize evidence from Arpaio’s office

  1. bovril says:

    According to the various news reports, the trigger was the court appointed monitor, who, along with Arpaios’s counsel had been specifically instructed to retrieve and hold safe some 1400 seized ID cards and the Seattle Operation HDD’s, became aware that said stuff was slated for destruction.

    Monitor reports to the judge that the MCSO are refusing to hand over the required stuff and it is likely they will be destroyed, judge goes ballistic.

    To top it off Deputy Sherri Sheridan has a presser and outright lies saying that the doc’s and ID’s were never requested by the court…….

  2. Keith says:

    bovril:
    According to the various news reports, the trigger was the court appointed monitor, who, along with Arpaios’s counsel had been specifically instructed to retrieve and hold safe some 1400 seized ID cards and the Seattle Operation HDD’s, became aware that said stuff was slated for destruction.

    Monitor reports to the judge that the MCSO are refusing to hand over the required stuff and it is likely they will be destroyed, judge goes ballistic.

    To top it off Deputy Sherri Sheridan has a presser and outright lies saying that the doc’s and ID’s were never requested by the court…….

    Merriam Webster Online Dictionary Full Definition of: CONTEMPT

    1 a : the act of despising : the state of mind of one who despises : disdain
    b : lack of respect or reverence for something

    2 : the state of being despised

    3 : willful disobedience to or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative body

    I just don’t get it. We know Arpaio doesn’t have a computer, but doesn’t he have a dictionary? Doesn’t he understand what the word “contempt” means?

    My dad (and I bet a heck of a lot of other dads) used to say: “if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging”. I dunno, maybe Arpaio had a deprived childhood or something.

  3. CarlOrcas says:

    Curious George:
    http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/snow-orders-arpaio-to-cough-up-new-montgomery-files-and-1-500-seized-ids-to-the-us-marshal-7514146

    I like Lemon’s (the articles author) idea: 24 hours in jail for Arpaio….to get his attention.

  4. Andrew Vrba, PmG says:

    Andy:
    Well, it looks like the good Sheriff’s offices were raided…

    http://www.azfamily.com/story/29629287/judge-chastises-arpaios-lawyers-for-withholding-records?autostart=false

    The birthers are crying foul, and their bitter tears are extra delicious.

  5. J.D. Sue says:

    So far, this article seems to be the most informative. I even got it from a Stephen Lemons tweet, and he called it a solid report.

    http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/07/24/snow-orders-marshals–retrieve-mcso-evidence-abrk/30647253/

  6. bgansel9 says:

    J.D. Sue: So far, this article seems to be the most informative. I even got it from a Stephen Lemons tweet, and he called it a solid report.

    Yup, our local newspaper is doing good work.

    So, does this fall under additional contempt charges? Might we see a huge shakeup and calls from top officials for the sheriff to resign soon and stop embarrassing this county?

  7. RanTalbott says:

    J.D. Sue: So far, this article seems to be the most informative.

    And it clears up the hard drive question.

    To date, court-appointed monitors had received only one hard drive. In an emergency hearing Friday, Snow ordered U.S. marshals to seize the rest.

  8. Curious George says:

    bgansel9

    “So, does this fall under additional contempt charges? Might we see a huge shakeup and calls from top officials for the sheriff to resign soon and stop embarrassing this county?”

    It’s another example of why this will morph into criminal contempt and possible obstruction charges, IMHO. I would think Judge Snow is going to have more than a few choice words for Arpaio and his associates next Friday. What a circus!

  9. bgansel9 says:

    Curious George: It’s another example of why this will morph into criminal contempt and possible obstruction charges

    I hope you’re correct.

  10. john says:

    They should have gotten rid of the evidence. Without evidence there is no case. Just take the ID and have someone trip with them and say they fell into a shredder or vat of acid accidentially. Or may someone was working with a magnet and they trip and magnet fell on all of the hard drives erasing the data. i’m sure they could come up with at a dozen different “Accidents” that would explain the loss of evidence.

  11. Jim says:

    john, nice poke. Let’s see how many responses you get to your trolling.

  12. Dave says:

    I confess I would like to hear Arpaio tell Judge Snow the IDs fell in a vat of acid, by accident.

  13. RanTalbott says:

    Jim: Let’s see how many responses you get to your trolling.

    If Arpaio actually followed one of his suggestions, that would make a prima facie case for indicting John as a co-conspirator, right?

  14. Pete says:

    Once again demonstrating that birthers stand for whatever they find convenient, without any regard to whether it’s moral or legal.

  15. Bonsall Obot says:

    He would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for those meddling feds!

  16. DaveH says:

    Uhm, no, John. There would still be a case.

    The id’s that were confiscated may or may not be additional plaintiffs to the “class”.

    The court wants to make sure every person that was unjustly detained by Shurf Joe gets the relief for which they are entitled.

    There are already other plaintiffs or there wouldn’t be a case and had the Shurf complied with the court’s orders, there wouldn’t be contempt hearings.

    john:
    They should have gotten rid of the evidence.Without evidence there is no case.Just take the ID and have someone trip with them and say they fell into a shredder or vat of acid accidentially.Or may someone was working with a magnet and they trip and magnet fell on all of the hard drives erasing the data.i’m sure they could come up with at a dozen different “Accidents” that would explain the loss of evidence.

  17. alg says:

    john:
    They should have gotten rid of the evidence.Without evidence there is no case.Just take the ID and have someone trip with them and say they fell into a shredder or vat of acid accidentially.Or may someone was working with a magnet and they trip and magnet fell on all of the hard drives erasing the data.i’m sure they could come up with at a dozen different “Accidents” that would explain the loss of evidence.

    Well, there you go again, John….suggesting it’s perfectly appropriate for an elected County Sheriff to commit felonies.

    Fortunately, there are enough honest people in the world that are willing to step in and prevent your scenario from happening. In this case, there are earnest whistleblowers working inside the MCSO intent on making sure that justice is served. Kudos to the deep throats of the MCSO.

    Arpaio’s devolution into birtherism, along with his contemptuous behavior, is a clear sign the man is getting senile.

  18. jy wants to make sure Sheriff Joe gets nailed for obstruction of justice by destroying evidence. I say I am all for it.

  19. Rickey says:

    john:
    They should have gotten rid of the evidence.Without evidence there is no case.Just take the ID and have someone trip with them and say they fell into a shredder or vat of acid accidentially.Or may someone was working with a magnet and they trip and magnet fell on all of the hard drives erasing the data.i’m sure they could come up with at a dozen different “Accidents” that would explain the loss of evidence.

    Once again you condone the commission of felonies.

  20. Andrew Vrba, PmG says:

    john:
    They should have gotten rid of the evidence.Without evidence there is no case.Just take the ID and have someone trip with them and say they fell into a shredder or vat of acid accidentially.Or may someone was working with a magnet and they trip and magnet fell on all of the hard drives erasing the data.i’m sure they could come up with at a dozen different “Accidents” that would explain the loss of evidence.

    I like seeing you in this constant state of panic, over whats about to happen to Shurfjoke. Between that and the dread you feel over the CCP having absolutely nothing on Obama, you’ve gotta be in a pretty dark place right now. Best cling to your delusions of Trump actually making it past the primaries, while you still can. I expect you to come completely unglued when he drops out of the race.

  21. Dr. Kenneth Noisewater says:

    john:
    They should have gotten rid of the evidence.Without evidence there is no case.Just take the ID and have someone trip with them and say they fell into a shredder or vat of acid accidentially.Or may someone was working with a magnet and they trip and magnet fell on all of the hard drives erasing the data.i’m sure they could come up with at a dozen different “Accidents” that would explain the loss of evidence.

    So now you want them to commit further crimes in order to cover up their earlier crimes? You really are a piece of crap james

  22. Northland10 says:

    Dave:
    I confess I would like to hear Arpaio tell Judge Snow the IDs fell in a vat of acid, by accident.

    Don’t all sheriff departments keep vats of acid just lying around the building?

  23. Keith says:

    Northland10: Don’t all sheriff departments keep vats of acid just lying around the building?

    Pro’ly not. But they do have K9 units though. They could just say that the dog ate their homework. That always works.

  24. RanTalbott says:

    Keith: They could just say that the dog ate their homework.

    Would never fly: no judge would believe it. My brother-in-law is a retired K9 cop. Their dogs are better-trained, and better-behaved, than most birthers.

  25. bgansel9 says:

    john: They should have gotten rid of the evidence. Without evidence there is no case. Just take the ID and have someone trip with them and say they fell into a shredder or vat of acid accidentially. Or may someone was working with a magnet and they trip and magnet fell on all of the hard drives erasing the data. i’m sure they could come up with at a dozen different “Accidents” that would explain the loss of evidence.

    Thanks for proving how unethical you are.

  26. Pete says:

    john, since you’re so committed to this course of action, why don’t you give the Sheriff’s office a call and offer to help them in destroying the evidence? I’m sure they could use a creative and helpful volunteer such as yourself.

    Heck, they might even call you “Commander” and put you in charge of a new Posse. Maybe they’ll call it the “Evidence Management Posse.”

    “Commander John.” Now doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?

  27. Sef says:

    Northland10: Don’t all sheriff departments keep vats of acid just lying around the building?

    It has to be magnetic acid. They probably didn’t get any because they were waiting until after the imminent flip-flop of the earth’s magnetic field. Gotta get the right polarity.

  28. Dr. Kenneth Noisewater says:

    I’m just waiting for the point where John says they should murder the judge because without the judge there’s no case. That’s how crazy john is.

  29. Jim says:

    I’m just waiting for the point that Arpaio gets desperate and tries to arrest the judge. That’s his MO, and the judge has frustrated him at every turn…

  30. Curious George says:

    Remember the good old days when Joe thought he could avoid the current legal quagmire by admitting that he is in contempt of court? How’s that plan working out for you Joe? No matter how hard Joe tries, he continues to fall into a deeper, darker, universe shattering mess.

  31. Jim says:

    Yeah…I think that $350,000 pot they offered up to the plaintiffs will need to be increased a bit…to about a million.

  32. DaveH says:

    Jim:
    I’m just waiting for the point that Arpaio gets desperate and tries to arrest the judge.That’s his MO, and the judge has frustrated him at every turn…

    Joe would have to be an idiot to attempt to arrest the judge.

    According to this article about Judge Snow, the US Marshals take him to and from work. Most likely, they watch his home as well.

    http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/06/05/judge-murray-snow-sheriff-joe-arpaio/28554351/

    Quote from the article:

    “More than one acquaintance said that Snow was recently asked by the U.S. Marshals Service to stop riding the light rail or driving to court each day given the case against Arpaio, and Arpaio’s tendency to follow and investigate those he perceives as political foes.

    The sources said that marshals were bringing Snow to court instead.”

  33. Jim says:

    Thanks Dave! I hadn’t seen that before. I see the judge has gotten to know Arpaio very well. I’m liking Judge Snow the more and more I read about him.

  34. Arpaio could always take john’s suggestion and do what Walter did in Breaking Bad to destroy evidence.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzCXowhks80

    Sef: It has to be magnetic acid. They probably didn’t get any because they were waiting until after the imminent flip-flop of the earth’s magnetic field. Gotta get the right polarity.

  35. Jim says:

    I recommend Arpaio acts upon ALL john’s suggestions…we could use the entertainment!

  36. RanTalbott says:

    An especially damning item from one of those news stories:

    Warshaw added that the team learned there had been a meeting last Friday among Arpaio’s professional-standards bureau staff, Sheridan and counsel to prepare for the monitors’ site visit.

    “The 1,500 IDs did come up,” Warshaw said, “and we learned that there was an instruction given: that the existence not be volunteered or given to the monitor.”

    Warshaw said the IDs would have been destroyed if monitors had not intervened.

    That sounds like a pretty clear case of criminal contempt.

  37. Notorial Dissent says:

    Or at the least criminal stupidity, which they seem to have in large abundance it would seem.

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