Embattled Sheriff Joe Arpaio has accused President Barack Obama’s Justice Department of timing his federal indictment on criminal contempt on the day early voting began to kill his chances of being re-elected, reports the Phoenix New Times.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton signed an order charging the controversial sheriff with federal contempt of court, setting his trial for Dec. 6 in U.S. District Court in Phoenix.

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The federal judge was acting on a proposed order that was initially submitted to her by prosecutors October 17.

In a campaign commercial released on Tuesday, Arpaio questioned the timing of the charges and said they were tied to the start of early voting in Arizona

Speaking of the Obama Administration, Arpaio called the indictment “garbage.”

“They’ve been after me from day one. Now they’re filing contempt-of-court charges, against me, the day early voting started. This is all politics. Hillary gets a free pass, but they’re comin’ after me? What a bunch of garbage!”

According to a recent poll by the Arizona Republic on Oct. 20, the longtime Maricopa County sheriff is 15 points behind his challenger, Democrat Paul Penzone.

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Watch Arapio’s video below: