Officials in Arapahoe County, Colorado are expressing shock that the county's prominent former sheriff has been arrested on suspicion that he tried to trade methamphetamine for sex with an informant. Ironically, the suspect is currently being held in the jail that bears his name.

Retired Sheriff Patrick Sullivan was arrested on Nov. 29, shortly after police with a drug task force allegedly witnessed him delivering less than a gram of methamphetamine to the home of an Aurora man and requesting sex in exchange for the drug. They claim the former sheriff had similar deals with a number of men in the area.

The arrest was the result of an undercover sting at the Aurora man's house, with officers "visually monitoring" the events inside, according to the current sheriff. Authorities arranged the sting operation after receiving a telephone tip on Oct. 4.

Sullivan, who lives in Littleton, served as Arapahoe County sheriff from 1984 until 2002. He became known nationwide as an expert on law enforcement issues, especially cyberterrorism. The National Sheriffs' Association named him Sheriff of the Year in 2001.

Former county officials were stunned by news of the arrest. Former County Commissioner Jim Dyer said he was "absolutely astounded." A former district attorney said that Sullivan "was an outstanding sheriff" and said the charges are "hard to believe."

Prosecutors charged Sullivan, 68, with Class 5 unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing or sale of a controlled substance. If convicted, he could face up to six years in prison. He is being held on $250,000 bail at the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility.

Source: Denver Post, "Ex-Arapahoe County Sheriff Sullivan accused of dealing meth, trying to trade it for sex," Joey Bunch, Nov. 30, 2011