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

What Would New York City Look Like Under Mamdani? Take a Look at London for Starters

Hacker Group Doxxes Hundreds of Federal Employees

How Letitia James' Fake Marriage to Her Dad Sparked a Lifetime of Mortgage Fraud

Newsom Signs Law Forcing California Schools to Promote LGBT 'Hotline' on Student IDs

Typhoon Halong Has Devastated Parts of Western Alaska with Flooding, Displacing Hundreds; How You Can Help Survivors

Prayer Alert: Hamas Hesitates on Peace Deal

FBI and Secret Service Discover Hunting Stand Potentially Linked to Assassination Attempt against President Trump

'We're Restoring the Bible': PA Legislators Declare 'Day of the Bible' amid National Push

White House Faith Director Responds to President Trump's Comments About Making It to Heaven

Storybook for Kindergarteners Features Gay Roosters, Men Wearing Leather Harnesses

NBC News Terminates Nearly 150 DEI Editorial Staffers from the Newsroom

Influence of MAHA, Pro-Life Movement Evident in Trump's IVF Move

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Planned Shutdown Layoffs

Trump Speaks with Putin by Phone, Warns Him Again About US Tomahawk Missiles for Ukraine

Bolton Lashes Out at Trump after Grand Jury Returns Damning 18-Count Indictment

For King & Country's Luke Smallbone Explains How Revival Can Touch Every Part of Your World

Comet Lemmon Might Be the Best Comet of 2025, and This Is the Month to See It

Faith Leaders Sound Alarm on Election Issue: 'Bellville Will Go Haywire With Pot Shops'

Sen John Fetterman Brings the Kennedy Center to Complete Silence With an Emotional Message

ICE Op: Two-Thirds of Nabbed Illegal Aliens' CDLs Were Issued by Two Sanctuary States