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'Sheriff of the Year' Busted in Meth-Sex Ring

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on November 30, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

In an ironic twist of fate, former Arapahoe County Sheriff Patrick Sullivan is currently being held in the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility just outside of Denver. The 68-year-old retired lawman was caught on tape exchanging methamphetamine for sex.

When drug task force officers dug deeper, they turned up evidence that Sullivan had long been engaged in a drugs-for-sex ring with at least six other men. Even more chilling was the revelation that he had an ongoing relationship with a number of men--some of whom he bailed out of jail while on active duty.

Local police were alerted to the alleged meth-sex ring in September when a man called to complain about an "old guy" selling drugs to his recovering-addict roommates. Patrick Sullivan reportedly threatened the man with his badge, explains The Denver Channel. Sullivan then called the station to let them know he was working as part of a task force.

Police are still investigating the extent of the ex-sheriff's dealings, but he has been charged with the distribution and manufacturing of a controlled substance, reports the Denver Post. Each carries a term of up to six years in jail.

Sadly, Sullivan is not the first law enforcement officer to get picked up for selling or buying drugs. Back in March, the Las Vegas prosecutor responsible for handling Paris Hilton and Bruno Mars was busted while buying cocaine. And in September, there was the TSA drug ring that involved local police in two cities.

Patrick Sullivan is by no means unique. He just happened to get caught.

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