Plan B Forum

Former “sheriff of the year” arrested and sent to jail named after him

Every civil servant wants to experience his or her legacy firsthand--but not the way that onetime Arapahoe Sheriff Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. has. Sullivan, a nationally renowned law enforcement leader, was arrested on drug charges and is now being detained in the Denver area jail that bears his name.

Sullivan, who in 2001 was named the National Sheriff Association's "Sheriff of the Year," was arrested on suspicion of trafficking methamphetamines.

Local news station CBS4 began an investigation of Sullivan last month on a tip that he had agreed to meet a male informant, providing drugs in exchange for sex. He was subsequently arrested by the South Metro Drug Task Force and is currently being held on a $250,000 bond.

And in an incredible twist of fate, Sullivan now cooling his heels at The Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility, named in his honor.

"The allegations of criminal behavior involving Pat Sullivan are extraordinarily disturbing," said Grayson Robinson, Arapahoe County's current sheriff. "While the arrest of the former sheriff is very troubling, no one, and particularly a former peace officer, is above the law. This is the most shocking thing I've ever been involved with."

Sullivan, 68, has been retired for nine years, but had been serving as director of safety and security for Cherry Creek Schools.

"This is a very sad time for the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and our community," Robinson said. The CBS4 report also found that for several years Sullivan has posted bond for multiple suspects held in drug cases at jail facilities across the state.

As recently as 2008, Sullivan was an active participant in state and local methamphetamine task forces, helping Colorado draft a plan to deal with the surge in meth-related crime.[apparently, his strategy involved cornering the market ]

In 1995 President Bill Clinton named Sullivan to the National Commission on Crime Prevention and Control. According to a 1995 White House news release, Sullivan was a consultant to U.S. House Subcommittee on Crime and served on two advisory councils affiliated with the Department of Justice.

I suspect the high bail reflects the potential length of the sentence.

DENVER (CBS4) – Several methamphetamine users say former Arapahoe County Sheriff Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. repeatedly provided them with methamphetamine, which they smoked, sometimes at Sullivan’s home.

“We have all been at his house while his wife was gone, sitting in his garage smoking dope,” said William Hadley, a meth user and close associate of the former Sheriff. “I mean we’ve sat at Cheesman Park in his (Sullivan’s) SUV and smoked the F— out of a lot of dope.”

His comments were videotaped by Jonathan Elinoff, a producer for radio talk show host Tom Martino. The tapes were obtained by CBS4 Nov. 23.

Authorities arrested the 68-year-old former sheriff Tuesday afternoon at an Aurora home after they say he attempted to trade methamphetamine for a sex act from a male acquaintance.

Sullivan is being held on $500,000 bail in the Arapahoe County Jail, which is named after the retired sheriff. He is being held on a single felony drug distribution count, but current Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson says more charges are expected.

“Pat has bought dope for several people I do know,” Hadley said, “to help get them in the mood.”

Hadley acknowledged performing a sex act in front of Sullivan.

“I (masturbated) in front of him at his request,” Hadley said.

Hadley said he met Sullivan through friends in 2006. The two became close, with Sullivan alternately helping Hadley and providing him and others with illegal drugs.

“He buys them drugs in order for them to take their clothes off. That’s the power he has over them, their addiction,” said a second man interviewed by Elinoff on videotape about Sullivan.

The 29-year-old man told Elinoff Sullivan met gay young men at Denver’s Cheesman Park. He said he met Sullivan when he was a teenager.

“Did Sullivan ever try to take advantage of you?” the man is asked.

“Yes,” he responded.

“How old were you?”

“Fourteen or 15,” the man said.

Sullivan has declined media requests for an interview.

Lord Jim wrote:
Of course the staggering hypocrisy of this man raises a stench worse than a Marmite factory....

Brewey Jim, Brewery....

How embarassing is it to misspell the word "emabarassing" in such a post?

Not terribly, I suspect.

dgs49 wrote:How embarassing is it to misspell the word "emabarassing" in such a post?