But in the end, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton determined Wednesday that she had no choice but to validate Arpaio’s Aug. 25 pardon by President Donald Trump and throw out the finding of guilt in his criminal contempt case because he had not yet been sentenced and was not afforded an opportunity to appeal the verdict.
Arpaio’s attorneys asked during a Wednesday morning hearing in Phoenix that all of the rulings during the contempt proceedings be discarded. Bolton has taken that request under advisement.
Arpaio did not attend the hearing. When reached at home by telephone, he said he had not yet spoken to his attorneys.
But his response was in classic Arpaio style:
"I’m happy the conviction was dismissed, especially since I am not guilty,” he told The Arizona Republic, “and I will be addressing that issue in the near future.”
And though that statement hinted at retribution, Arpaio would not let on what he had in mind.
Instead he praised Trump, saying, "It took me 85 years to find my hero and it's the president of the United States."
