Drug busts are often big news in the Chicago area. When the bust is made because of drug trafficking or manufacturing, the person who was busted has to face some very harsh consequences. A recent story in the news about drug trafficking might shock some Chicagoland residents.
A former Cook County sheriff’s deputy recently entered into a plea deal in which he admitted to robbing drug dealers. The case is centered around the deputy’s actions from 2011 to 2013. He pleaded guilty to stealing marijuana, contraband cigarettes and cocaine from eight drug dealers. Some of these robberies occurred while the deputy was on duty. Others occurred during home invasions.
This former deputy was working in the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area team. He was supposed to be fighting drug trafficking of narcotics. Instead, he used his job set up deals with traffickers. After deals were completed, he would handcuff them and take the narcotics, which he would later sell to other dealers for cash. Once he had what he wanted, he would release them without charges.
He was caught on Nov. 3, 2014, when he robbed an undercover federal agent of 70 pounds of marijuana. He was working with another law enforcement officer in that robbery.
Even though the robberies dealt with illegal items, the former deputy is facing a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss because of the robberies. The greater of the two figures is applicable in this case. He also faces 20 years in prison.
Anyone who has been charged with drug trafficking has the right to a defense. If you have come into contact with law enforcement for a drug-related offense, you should explore your options for handling your case. This is true even if you haven’t been formally charged.
Source: eNews Park Forest, “Former Cook County Sheriff’s Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Robbing Drug Dealers While on Duty,” Sep. 10, 2015
