Arizona's federal prosecutors asked to be removed from Phoenix Sheriff Joe Arpaio's case, citing conflict of interests. | AP Photo Justice Department to handle Arpaio case

The Department of Justice will now handle the investigation into Phoenix Sheriff Joe Arpaio over accusations of racial profiling after federal prosecutors in Arizona asked to be removed citing unspecified conflicts of interest.

According to court filings made public on Friday and reported by the Associated Press, Arizona's federal prosecutors did not provide specific details on conflict of interests, but said there is an "existing conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest pertaining to the matter."


"It's their call," Mel McDonald, an attorney for Arpaio, told the AP. "If they have a conflict ... I'm not one to second-guess that decision."

Last week, U.S. District Judge Murray Snow ruled that another judge should rule whether Arpaio and a deputy should be held in criminal contempt of court for repeatedly ignoring court orders to stop racially profiling Latinos.

Arpaio, who is is known as "America's sheriff" and who has endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump, has been sheriff of the metropolitan Phoenix area for 23 years and is running for reelection for his seventh term. He was found in contempt of court in May, with Snow ruling that he and his aides had repeatedly ignored court orders to stop racially profiling Latinos.

Arpaio could face criminal fines or jail time. The Republican sheriff of Arizona’s Maricopa County would need to step down from his position if convicted of a felony.