Pinal County Sheriff Receiving Death Threats

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. - Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, a strong supporter of Arizona's new immigration law, is receiving threats against his life.

He's been very outspoken about the need to secure the borders, and the topic is a controversial one.

Outside law enforcements have been brought in to investigate the threats and have found them credible.

Chief Deputy Steve Henry said some of the threats come from the Mexican mafia and drug cartel members.

Sheriff Babeu declined personal security detail. He decided not to request funding for security detail at this time, because the county resources are already stretched.

"I understand this threat, yet I will not run in fear or change my support for SB1070 and my demands for President Obama to secure our border with 3,000 armed soldiers in Arizona and start building the fence again. I'm always armed and as every law enforcement member knows, we always have to be aware of our surroundings and possible threats," he said.

Pinal County is nearly 5,400 square miles and much of the desert is known as a drug and human trafficking corridor.

Online:

www.pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Pages/Home.aspx

Arizona Immigration Law - Senate Bill 1070:

Click here to read the entire bill online

Click here for a fact sheet/summary of the bill