In a troubling development, a Chicago police officer has been accused of exploiting his position to facilitate an illegal arms pipeline. Allegations state that Officer Kevin Rodriguez purchased firearms in both Indiana and Illinois, which were subsequently smuggled to Mexico by his associate, Diego Valdez.
A grand jury recently unveiled an indictment charging both individuals with orchestrating a secretive gun trafficking operation from September to December 2024.
According to the indictment, Rodriguez leveraged his law enforcement credentials to acquire AR-style rifles and handguns, which are prohibited for private citizens under Illinois regulations. Prosecutors assert that he falsely declared himself as the “actual buyer” of these weapons, while Valdez was the true intended recipient.
Specific transactions were outlined, revealing that Rodriguez transferred multiple firearms to Valdez, who remitted thousands of dollars to him via Zelle for these acquisitions. One significant purchase occurred on September 17, 2024, when Rodriguez allegedly bought a Valhalla WLA15A rifle in Dyer, Indiana, while accompanied by Valdez. Shortly after, he secured a Valhalla M4E1 pistol in Monee, Illinois, both of which were later handed over to Valdez.
Further allegations indicate that Rodriguez was fully aware he was not the actual gun purchaser when he completed the federal documentation. In November 2024, Valdez reportedly transported both firearms to Mexico, marking a significant breach of law.
Following the issuance of the indictment, both men surrendered themselves to federal authorities. Notably, city payroll records reveal that Rodriguez earned an annual base salary of $108,012 as a police officer in Chicago last year.
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About Tim Hecke
Tim Hecke serves as the managing partner at CWBChicago. He launched his career at KMOX, a historic news radio station in St. Louis, and has since worked at broadcasting stations in Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York City. In 2019, he took the helm of CWBChicago as its managing partner.
For inquiries, you can reach him at tim@cwbchicago.com.
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