Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio's own words were the linchpin in the case against him, his quotes cited more than 20 times in a federal judge's ruling that found him guilty of criminal contempt of court.

Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio's own words were the linchpin in the case against him, his quotes cited more than 20 times in a federal judge's ruling that found him guilty of criminal contempt of court.

In a verdict filed Monday morning, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton said evidence demonstrated Arpaio's "flagrant disregard" for another federal judge's order that halted his signature immigration round-ups.

The sentencing phase will begin Oct. 5. Arpaio, 85, faces up to six months in confinement, a sentence equivalent to that of a misdemeanor.

"We presented a great case."

Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio

In what has become customary in judgments against Arpaio, Bolton liberally inserted the lawman's public remarks, mostly issued through news releases and media clips, to support her opinion.

"Credible testimony shows that the Defendant knew of the order and what the order meant in regards to the MCSO's policy of detaining persons who did not have state charges for turnover to ICE for civil immigration violations," the ruling read.