Crime / Joe Arpaio Someone Sent Explosives to Sheriff Joe Arpaio Package intercepted, device defused By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Apr 12, 2013 8:10 AM CDT Copied Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio speaks with the media about his new program providing security around schools in his jurisdiction, at Anthem Elementary School Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Sheriff Joe Arpaio is perhaps the most controversial sheriff in America—and apparently he really got himself on someone's bad side. Law officers in Arizona have intercepted an explosive device that was earmarked for the Maricopa County Sheriff, authorities said last night. The device was contained in a package addressed to the sheriff at his downtown Phoenix office; police in Flagstaff, about 140 miles away, reported that the package appeared suspicious, so it was x-rayed and the device detected. A bomb squad team neutralized the explosive. Authorities in Flagstaff are pursuing leads and three Maricopa deputies were being dispatched to Flagstaff to assist, according to a press release from the sheriff's office. (More Joe Arpaio stories.) Report an error