In the Nation

PHOENIX - A federal judge has ruled that the office of America's self-proclaimed toughest sheriff systematically racially profiled Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols.

The decision Friday by U.S. District Judge Murray Snow marks the first finding by a court that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office racially profiles people. It also backs up allegations made by critics that Arpaio's officers rely on race in their immigration enforcement.

Snow also ruled Arpaio's deputies unreasonably prolonged the detentions of people who were pulled over. A small group of Latinos alleged deputies pulled over some vehicles only to make immigration status checks. Arpaio has denied the allegations. - AP

ST. LOUIS - An Illinois judge already under scrutiny after a colleague died of a cocaine overdose at his family's hunting lodge was charged Friday with possession of heroin and guns.

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Michael Cook, 43, pleaded not guilty to federal counts of possessing heroin and having a firearm while being an illegal user of controlled substances. The complaint alleges that those offenses took place Thursday, and that Cook is an addict.

Earlier Friday, the county coroner, said toxicology tests showed that Cook's colleague, Circuit Judge Joe Christ, overdosed on cocaine at the Cook family's cabin in western Illinois. Christ, 49, a father of six, was found dead March 10.

Authorities said investigators seized cocaine and paraphernalia from the cabin. - AP

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - At least 16 people were taken to the hospital Friday morning, at least two in serious condition, after they were hurt in a crash between a hotel shuttle bus and a tractor-trailer near Atlanta's airport, officials said.

The crash was on the road that loops around the world's busiest airport. It appears the shuttle struck the side of a tractor-trailer that was attempting a U-turn on the divided road, Sgt. Keith Stanley said.

All 16 people on the bus were taken to hospitals. Stanley said that it wasn't clear whether any traffic laws were violated and that the investigation will likely take weeks. - AP

OGDEN, Utah - An Army veteran was found dead Friday in his jail cell as he awaited trial on charges of killing a police officer and wounding five others during a 2012 raid that netted 13 pot plants.

Matthew David Stewart, 39, was found hanging from a bed sheet just before 1 a.m. Friday, Weber County Attorney Dee Smith said.

Stewart's father, Michael Stewart, has insisted his son was only defending himself from what he thought was a robbery the night of the raid. - AP