A River Grove man who works as a Cook County Sheriff’s police officer was arrested on New Year’s Eve in Chicago and charged with sexually assaulting a prostitute.
Fernando Rodriguez, 52, was arrested around 1:30 a.m. Dec. 31 in Chicago and charged with attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated unlawful restraint and official misconduct, which are all felonies.
When Chicago police officers noticed a car double parked and partially blocking an alley in the 1500 block of North Avers Avenue Wednesday, sheriff’s Deputy Fernando B. Rodriguez tried to wave them off, saying: “It’s OK guys, I’m on the job,” according to court documents obtained by the baiduhai.
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A woman, who police said was a known prostitute, got out of the passenger seat and told the officers Rodriguez asked her to enter the car, then told her he was a police officer and displayed a holstered handgun, according to court documents.
Assistant State’s Attorney Beth Novy said Thursday that the woman told the officers that Rodriguez, who was off duty at the time, implied a sexual act and told the woman “if she handled this the right way, he would let her go.”
The officers arrested Rodriguez, 52, of River Grove, after determining he “was not acting in any official capacity,” Novy said.
According to Novy, police officers saw Rodriguez driving around the same area, which she said is known for prostitution, in November.
Rodriguez is Cook County Sheriff’s Police Officer and works in the county’s Civil Process Division.
According to Cook County Sheriff’s Office, since being arrested, Rodriguez’s law enforcement powers have been revoked and a disciplinary investigation has been started.