'America’s toughest sheriff' is coming to Fresno

Joe Arpaio, the controversial former sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona, has been invited as a special guest to a Fresno County Republican Party event next month in Fresno.

In a flier, the organization says: “Come support your local sheriff and hear from America’s toughest Sheriff famous for pink clothing for inmates and pink popcorn!”

Arpaio, 85, could be facing a possible six-month prison sentence in October. He was convicted in July of criminal contempt by a U.S. District judge for violating a court order to stop having deputies inquire about the legal status of Hispanic drivers and pedestrians during traffic stops.

President Trump called Arpaio “a great American patriot” on Fox News earlier this week and said he was “seriously considering” a pardon for the former sheriff, according to NPR on Friday.

That drew a response to the Washington Post from ACLU Deputy Legal Director Cecillia Wang, who said such a pardon “would be an official presidential endorsement of racism.”

Fred Vanderhoof, chairman of the Fresno County Republican Party, said the organization decided to invite Arpaio because “he’s probably the most famous sheriff in the country and he was an early supporter of President Trump, so we just felt it was appropriate to honor him.”

Arpaio’s legal troubles were not a reason to discount him, Vanderhoof said. “He thought he was doing his job. And we felt it was appropriate to honor him in the midst of that.”

Vanderhoof said Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims will also be in attendance at the event.

The Fresno County GOP event will be the annual Second Amendment barbecue. It will be held Sept. 23 at Tornino’s Banquets restaurant, 5080 N. Blackstone Ave.

People can get more information about the event by calling 559-225-2566.

This story was originally published August 18, 2017 at 3:47 PM with the headline "'America’s toughest sheriff' is coming to Fresno."