Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen is now in federal custody after his arrest on allegations of adoption fraud.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced the change in custody Friday afternoon.

Mr. Petersen is accused of arranging travel for pregnant women from the Marshall Islands in order to come to Arizona and deliver their babies, at the expense of over $800,000 to Arizona taxpayers.

That despite the women not being residents of the state. Court documents indicate Mr. Petersen and at least one employee at his adoption business conspired to forge the residency status of the mothers so they could receive Medicaid benefits.

Marshallese women are not allowed to come to the U.S. only for purposes related to adoption. After the adoptions, the women were transported back to the Marshall Islands, or sent to Utah or Arkansas.

Mr. Petersen was arrested Tuesday along with Lynwood Jennet, who was employed by Mr. Petersen and reportedly managed the pregnant women’s livelihoods while in Arizona.

Authorities found eight pregnant women at a residence in Mesa this week while conducting search warrants.

Mr. Petersen faces up to $5 million in fines and/or 315 years in prison.

County officials have called on Mr. Petersen to resign in light of the allegations. The Board of Supervisors would then be tasked with selecting his replacement.