Felony drug charges tossed for 3 arrested by jailed Schaumburg cops
Posted:
Updated:
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) -
Cook County prosecutors dropped felony drug charges Monday against three people arrested earlier by Schaumburg cops now accused of stealing and reselling illegal drugs.
An additional 12 pending drug cases soon will be dismissed because the three accused officers worked on them, a spokeswoman for Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez said.
"We're doing this as quickly as possible," spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said.
But prosecutors still plan to continue with four other drug cases investigated by the now-jailed Schaumburg tactical officers, Simonton said.
Officers Terrance O'Brien, Matthew Hudak and John Cichy were charged in DuPage County earlier this month with skimming marijuana and cocaine seized in arrests, then reselling the drugs through a street dealer.
All three cops face charges that include drug conspiracy, official misconduct and armed violence.
Their arrests tainted at least some of the cases they had worked, prompting the string of dismissals, authorities said.
But the numbers so far are much lower than the 30 to 40 cases authorities earlier estimated could have been tossed because of their arrests.
"So far, they've done the right thing," Cook County Public Defender Abishi Cunningham said of the move by prosecutors. His office represented two of those whose charges were dismissed Monday: Alex Garcia, 18, of Palatine, and Marleny Gutierrez, 20, of Wheeling.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:55:01 GMT
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:27:58 GMT
A southwest suburban teen pleaded guilty to being drunk when he fatally struck a 4-year-old girl chasing a ball in the street has been sentenced to probation and community service.
A southwest suburban teen pleaded guilty to being drunk when he fatally struck a 4-year-old girl chasing a ball in the street has been sentenced to probation and community service.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:55:58 GMT
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:56:25 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
