Bomb Sent to Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Office

Authorities are investigating a package with explosives addressed to the self-proclaimed “toughest sheriff in America” Sheriff Joe Arpaio, known for his strict jail system and raids targeting undocumented immigrant workers.

In a statement, Arpaio’s office stated that the package was intercepted in a Flagstaff post office Thursday evening. The package was addressed to his downtown office in Phoenix.It appeared suspicious, so it was X-rayed and the device was detected. A bomb squad team neutralized the explosive, the statement said.

Arapio said in a statement, that following the killing of a West Virginia sheriff last week, elected law enforcement officials across the nation seem to be targeted.

“It is very disheartening what’s going on with the elected officials (around the nation), and I hope they catch those perpetrators,” Arpaio said to the Arizona Republic. “We have to take precautions.”

Arpaio himself has been the target of numerous threats. That prompted the need for a security detail for the lawman also known for dressing jail inmates in pink underwear and making them sleep in tents in the heat of the Arizona desert.

A campaign to recall Arpaio has actively been going on,  starting just after he was elected to his sixth term in January.

Critics contend Arpaio should be ousted because his office failed to adequately investigate more than 400 sex-crimes cases, allegedly racially profiled Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols, and has cost the county more than $25 million in legal settlements over treatment in county jails.