A Chicago police officer has been indicted on federal charges alleging he used his position to purchase an assault rifle and a pistol from area dealers last year and gave them to an associate who smuggled them into Mexico.
Kevin Rodríguez, 27, of Chicago, was charged in a nine-page indictment made public Wednesday with lying on federal paperwork in order to purchase the weapons, which were not available to ordinary citizens under Illinois law.
The indictment charged Rodríguez with one count each of conspiracy, knowingly making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and purchasing a firearm intended for another individual in furtherance of a felony.
Also charged was his alleged accomplice, Diego Valdéz, 25, who paid Rodríguez more than $2,600 for the weapons, which Valdéz later took to Mexico for reasons not explained in the charges.
The indictment was filed under seal last week, court records show. Rodríguez turned himself in Tuesday and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel Fuentes, where he entered a plea of not guilty and was released on a recognizance bond.
Rodríguez’s attorney, Tom Breen, said Wednesday he had not yet seen any of the evidence in the case and declined to comment.
Valdéz also pleaded not guilty and was released, court records show. His lawyer, Matthew McQuaid, also declined to comment.
Chicago police issued a written statement Wednesday saying Rodríguez had his police powers suspended on July 3, and was immediately put on no-pay status following his indictment.
“The Chicago Police Department has no tolerance for criminal actions by any of our members,” the statement read. “The alleged actions of this one police officer do not represent the lifesaving work being done by our department.”
The department declined to comment specifically on the charges due to the pending investigation.
Records show Rodríguez was first hired to the force in October 2019. Before he was stripped of his police powers, he was assigned to the department’s South Chicago (4th) District.
According to the indictment, Rodríguez agreed to “use his status as a Chicago police officer to buy firearms, including an assault weapon, and give them to Valdéz” so he could smuggle them into Mexico.
On Sept. 17, 2024, Rodríguez and Valdéz traveled from Chicago to a federally licensed gun dealer in Dyer, Indiana, where Rodríguez purchased a Valhalla model AR-15 rifle. A week later, Rodríguez bought a Valhalla model 5.56 mm pistol from another dealer in south suburban Monee, according to the indictment.
Rodríguez gave both weapons to Valdéz for a total of $2,632, the indictment stated. On Dec. 5, 2024, Valdéz took the guns to Mexico.
The indictment alleged Rodríguez lied on federal paperwork where he declared he was purchasing both firearms for himself.
Since joining the department, Rodríguez has been the subject of at least nine misconduct complaints, according to the city’s Office of Inspector General. One of those, stemming from the improper pursuit of a suspect in 2022, netted Rodríguez a four-day suspension.
Other allegations against Rodríguez, none of which were sustained, included verbal abuse, conduct unbecoming and improper search and seizure, records show.
More Top Picks Best Night Lights For Kids