Former Colo. Sheriff Jailed For Trading Meth For Sex

Many citizens of Colorado's Arapahoe County were shocked to hear of the arrest of former Sheriff Patrick Sullivan. The "once national sheriff of the year" was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of trying to trade methamphetamine to a man for sex, the Denver Post reported in a Nov. 29 article.

The current Arapahoe County Sheriff, Grayson Robinson, said that the drug task-force officers were "visually monitoring" the drug deal that Sullivan, 68, was involved in.

"This shows that no one is above the law, particularly a current or a former peace officer," Robinson said. The county is nearly surrounded by Denver.

Robinson also claimed that Sullivan and the man with whom he was trading drugs for sex had an ongoing relationship. He also says Sullivan had other relationships with men that he often bonded out of jail.

Sullivan's bail is set at $250,000 and he is currently being held at the jail that was named in his honor, the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility.

Robinson said that Sullivan is being held in an isolation cell and could be brought to court as early as Wednesday morning.

Sullivan was sheriff from 1984 until 2002 when he retired. After retiring from law enforcement, Sullivan became the director of safety and security for Cherry Creek Schools in 2002, retiring from there in 2008.

Cherry Creek School District Superintendent Marry Chesley released a statement and said, "We are absolutely stunned at the news of Mr. Sullivan's arrest and are fully cooperating the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office with their investigation."

The former sheriff's daughter told the media "the family was in disbelief and asked for privacy."

Former Arapahoe County Commissioner Jim Dyer said he was shocked when he heard of Sullivan's arrest.

"I knew he had a distinguished career," Dyer said. "I think he was a good guy. That's shocking. I am absolutely astounded."

Steve Ward, former county commissioner, and former Arapahoe County District Attorney Jim Peters, both worked with Sullivan and expressed their disbelief.

"He was completely ethical, upright and honest," Peters said. "He just oozed honesty and integrity. He was an outstanding sheriff."

Sullivan is charged with unlawful distribution, manufacturing and dispensing or sale of a controlled substance, according to the Sheriff's Office. Sullivan could go to prison for up to six years.

This incident is oddly similar to the Ted Haggard scandal that garnered media attention in 2006. Haggard, an evangelical pastor in Colorado Springs, was involved with escort and masseur Mike Jones over a three-year period. Jones alleged that Haggard paid to have sex with him as well as purchased and used methamphetamines.

Since the scandal broke, it has been a tumultuous ride for Haggard. He resigned as President of National Association of Evangelicals and put himself on leave from the church where he served as pastor, reported EDGE.

In February 2007, a minister told the media that Haggard "is completely heterosexual." In June of last year, Haggard announced that he would start a new church in Colorado Springs. In February 2011, however, Haggard came out as bisexual.