FLORENCE, Ariz. -- Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu declined a security detail even after his department said he had received "credible" threats against his life.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office issued a news release Monday saying that Babeu's outspoken statements about border security have led to such threats.
The Sheriff's Office said Babeu declined the security detail for budget reasons and because of limited staffing.
"We're representing the rule of law here in America,” Babeu told CBS 5 News. “And that is an affront to me more than it is troubling to me, you know? I'm more outraged by the fact that these people would dare to say such things or to put what is called a 'green light' against me."
Chief Deputy Steve Henry said the office has information about additional threats from the Mexican Mafia and drug cartel members that placed a "green light" on Babeu's life.
Henry said threats against the sheriff by foreign-born criminals have raised their concerns to a new level. “Green light” contracts include a hit man doing a job for money.
Babeu's sources from outside Arizona said the green light hit man is threatened with death and the death of his family if he doesn't carry out the murder.
"We've been saying this for four to six months, that the tactics have changed and it's becoming more violent," Babeu said.
Babeu was reluctant to talk about the threats, but did explain to CBS 5 News why he turned down the special security detail.
"Quite frankly, we don't have enough deputies to respond to our emergencies in Pinal County,” he said. ”We've got one deputy per 1000 citizens. Phoenix has 2.7 per thousand, just to give you a sense of what we're facing."
Babeu said he will not let the threat of violence change his course.
"For me, I'll be fine,” he said. “I always consider my environment. And I'm going to continue to speak out and be very aggressive and stand up for what we believe in, so it doesn't change anything for me." Story link here
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