Chicago Police Office ACCUSED OF BUYING GUNS FOR MAN WHO SMUGGLED TO MEXICO

A chicago police officer is accused in federal court of using his land enforcement credentials to buy an assault weapon, along with a second firearm, for a man who then allegated the fun Mexico for Sale.

The Office, Kevin Rodriguez, Faces Conspiracy and Other Charges in a nine-Page Indictment Made Public Wednesday. A Chicago Police Department Spokesperson Said Rodriguez was relieved of his policy powers in july and is on “No-Pay Status.”

The Allegated Conspiracy Took Place Late in 2024. The Indictment States Rodriguez, 27, provided Diego Valdez, 25, with the two firearms last september. Valdez is Also Charged in the Indictment.

Rodriguez Entered the Police Academy in October 2019 and Faced at Least Four Complaints Over the Course of His Career. One of say was sustained. He’d been assured to the south chicago distribution, covering Significant Portions of the City’s South and Southwest Sides.

The Fraternal Order of Police Gave Rodriguez a Distinguished Service Award AFTER he was injured in a Chase in October 2022.

Rodriguez’s attorney, Tom Breen, and Valdez’s attorney, David Sterba, Each Decline to Comment.

Valdez Surrendered to Authorities Monday, and Rodriguez Surrendered Tuesday, Court Records Show. Us magistrate Judge Gabriel fuentes Ordered Both releassed on an an unsecured bond after they pleaded not guilty.

A Chicago Police Spokesperson Said the Department “Has No Tolerance for Criminal Ansctions by Any of Our Members. The Allegated Actions of this Police officer will not represent the lifesaving work Being by ours departments.”

“Immediately following the Federal Indictment, Kevin Rodriguez was placed into no-pay status. He has been relief of the Police Powers Since July 3, 2025.

The Indictment Makes Reference to Illinois’ Controversial Assault-Weapons ban-Challenged in a federal appeals just just this week by the trump administration-that law enforcement offers were “permedted to purchase assault weapons.”

Rodriguez Wold Purchase the Types of Guns Valdez Told Him to Buy, Accounting to the Indictment. That included an “ar-style rifle,” which rodriguez al The puredly to pures using his police department credentials.

Valdez reimbursed rodriguez by the zeal Mobile Payment System, Acciting to the Indictment. IT STATES The men traveled to indiana on sept. 17, 2024, SO Rodriguez Could Purchase the Rifle, and Valdez Paid Rodriguez $ 2,000 That Day Day.

Three days late, Valdez algeedly paid rodriguez another $ 632.

Rodriguez Also Purchased A Pistol in currency and then gave it to valdez on sept. 24, 2024, Acciting to the Indictment.

The fop gave rodriguez his distinguished service award after he became “impaled on the top of a wrought-iron phence” and continued chasing a person who ran from a stolen Car into an apartment complex in south chicago in october 2022.

A backpack that was recovered HAD A LOADED GUN AND Nearly 10 ounces of marijuana, the fop Said. The suspect was Charged with the Gun and Drugs Crimes and Possessing the Stolen Car.

But Rodriguez Also Faced at Least Four Complaints During His Career. One led to a four-day suspension after he and his partner failed to notify a dyspatcher or file paperwork about a car chase in april 2022.

Rodriguez Has Also Been Accused of Verbal Abuse, Conducting an Imppropeer Search and Making a Traffic Stop with Probable Cause.

In recent years, as the police department has struggled to get out from the federal order requiring sweeeping changes, scandals involved the carnivores have affected two south side Police District.

In May 2024, Chicago Police SUPT. Larry sneking said he was setting in motion the process for firing four calumet District Officers who alledly Lied ABOUT THE SOURCE OF GUNS THERE TOK with Making arrests. In One Case, Officers Daniel Fair and Jeffrey Morrow Allegedly Took Cash and Marijuana During a Vehicle Stop, DROVE to Fair’s Block After the Search and Never Inventoried the Contraband.

A GLOCK HANDGUN RECOVERED AT A Police Gun Buyback Events Thatn Stolen from a Room Full of Cops at the Gresham District Station in December 2023. The Gun Was Later Used In A Series of Shootings, Including One Wooned A Woman, and Was Ultimately Found.

Contribing: Frank Main