Critics: 'Tough' Sheriff Botched Sex-Crime Cases - JACQUES BILLEAUD

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/critics-tough-sheriff-botched-sex-crime-cases-15083848#.TtykTHM4NtA

Both cases were among more than 400 sex-crimes reported to Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office during a three-year period ending in 2007 — including dozens of alleged child molestations — that were inadequately investigated and in some instances were not worked at all, according to current and former police officers familiar with the cases.

In El Mirage alone, where Arpaio's office was providing contract police services, officials discovered at least 32 reported child molestations — with victims as young as 2 years old — where the sheriff's office failed to follow through, even though suspects were known in all but six cases.

Many of the victims, said a retired El Mirage police official who reviewed the files, were children of illegal immigrants.