Former 'Sheriff of the Year' arrested in sex for drugs bust

Denver - Retired Arapahoe County Sheriff Pat Sullivan was arrested Tuesday for allegedly attempting to trade drugs for sex. In an ironic twist, Sullivan is being held in the jail that bears his name.

68-year-old Patrick J. Sullivan was arrested by Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department Tuesday after investigators received tips that Sullivan was accused of allegedly being involved in the distribution of meth and had agreed to meet a male informant with the intent to provide him with drugs in exchange for sex. South Metro Drug Task Force along with sheriff department investigators say at approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday, they saw Sullivan give meth to the male informant before being promptly arrested. The former officer was taken into custody without incident. Sullivan is being held at the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility and kept in a jail cell away from other inmates. Originally held on $250,000 bail, the judge in the case decided Wednesday morning to increase his bond to $500,000. Sullivan will be formally charged Dec. 5. KUSA news reporter Jennifer Ryan said Wednesday that "the judge also issued a protection order against Sullivan, which prevents him from possessing a firearm or intimidating witnesses." Current Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson told a local TV news station KUSA, 9news Sullivan's bond was increased due to the nature of the charges and said it's a "high profile case with an ongoing investigation." Robinson also added, "I think the clear message is first and foremost, this is sad. This is a sadness for this organization. This is a sadness for men and women that serve with pride and integrity every day at the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. And it's a sadness for our community. But beyond, and well beyond the sadness, no one is above the law." According to The Denver Post, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department says Sullivan will be facing a charge of unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing or sale of a controlled substance, a charge that carries a maximum punishment of up to six years in prison. Former Arapahoe County Commissioner Jim Dyer, told The Post, "I knew he had a distinguished career. I think he was a good guy. That's shocking. I am absolutely astounded." Patrick Sullivan was sheriff of Arapahoe county from 1984 until his retirement in 2002. In 2001 Sullivan was named "Sheriff of the Year" by the National Sheriff Association.