The controversial sheriff of Maricopa County is warning Craigslist to quit aiding illegal activity or else.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio of the southern Arizona county is no stranger to controversy. He has been at the center of federal investigations into his alleged abuse of power and use of racial-profiling to earn himself the self-described title of America’s toughest sheriff.
But Wednesday Arpaio turned the investigation onto the San Francisco-based Craigslist and gave a harsh warning to CEO Jim Buckmaster.
Arpaio said in a press conference that Craigslist provides a “mechanism to facilitate criminal activity.”
His comments come after he says his officer went undercover to bust a group allegedly using Craigslist to "engage in illegal acts with animals."
The officers set up meetings with men at hotel rooms who allegedly wanted to have sex with dogs.
“I would hope that Mr. Buckmaster takes my advice seriously and looks into our concerns,” Arpaio said. “I think it is sad that people would utilize technology to take advantage of animals like this.”
Arpaio said his office investigated the matter further and found that this case was not isolated. That other people looking to engage in bestiality used Craigslist and a secret language even existed amongst these people.
Craigslist is of course no stranger to controversy. The site came under fire for its adult services section, which it was forced to censor after pressure from numerous states to discontinue the service.
