A federal judge found former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio guilty of criminal contempt Monday.

He is accused of violating a 2001 court order in a racial profiling case where he continued patrols that targeted immigrants.

Judge Susan Bolton determined Arpaio was acting as a de facto wing of the federal government by detaining those living in the U.S. illegally, according to the BBC.

Only federal officers have jurisdiction over immigration.

Bolton wrote that Arpaio knew of his court order which stipulated that his department was to turn over detained immigrants to the federal immigration authorities.

"Not only did defendant abdicate responsibility, he announced to the world and to his subordinates that he was going to continue business as usual no matter who said otherwise," Bolton wrote.

She called Arpaio's actions a "flagrant disregard" for the order, but he argued that his court order was vague.

Arpaio said he did not intend to violate the order and his defense lawyers claim that his former attorney "dropped the ball" when it came to explaining the order to him, CNN reports.

The former sheriff believes the judge who issued the order was biased and would like to appeal to a jury to hear his case.

"Joe Arpaio is in this for the long haul, and he will continue his fight to vindicate himself, to prove his innocence, and to protect the public," a statement he issued reads.

The 85-year-old could face up to six months in jail, but lawyers say it is unlikely that he will serve time behind bars.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

HERO: 13-Year-Old Credits God After Miracle 4-Hour Swim to Save Family [Video]

The Young Evangelical Woman behind a Viral Message of Faith and Freedom for Cuba

What Constitution? Progressive States, Cities Join WHO Globalist Network after US Withdrawal

'Largest Act of Deregulation': Trump to Roll Back Obama-Era Greenhouse Gas Rule

'Strong Standards of Safety': Trump Admin Removes 2000 Unqualified Truckers from Roads, Many for English Proficiency Violations

Clinton-Appointed Judge Strikes Down California Mask Ban on ICE Agents

Netanyahu to Meet Trump With Iran Missiles High on Agenda

The Democrats' Trump-Epstein Smear Campaign Just Collapsed

[Watch] Powerful Pro-life Super Bowl LX Commercial Champions Option of Adoption

Seahawks MVP and Coach Give Thanks to God after Super Bowl Victory

Israel Hails Takaichi's Landslide Win in Japan

Georgia Co. Fires Officer for Confronting Trans (Biological Male) Who Used the Ladies' Room [Video]

Ghislaine Maxwell Declines to Answer Questions in House Deposition

California: SBA Suspends 12,000 Borrowers Suspected of $9 Billion of Fraud [Video]

Second Ransom Deadline Approaches in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

Millions Tune in to TPUSA's 'All American Halftime' Super Bowl Show [Videos]

PASS IT ON… Here Is How You Watch the Super Bowl 'All-American Halftime Show' Sponsored by TPUSA

After Impressive $1 Million Monday Box Office Haul, Amazon MGM Expanding 'Melania' into 200 More Theaters

Former Lesbian Goes from 'Borderline Satanism' to God Encounter: 'He'll Completely Transform Your Life'

'We're Under Attack': Jewish New Yorkers Blame Mayor Mamdani as Antisemitism Explodes