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Federal prosecutors are accusing a Chicago cop of utilizing his standing as a legislation enforcement officer to purchase weapons for an confederate who funneled them to Mexico.
In a newly unsealed indictment, a grand jury prices Officer Kevin Rodriguez and his co-defendant, Diego Valdez, with operating an unlawful gun pipeline between September and December 2024.
Prosecutors say Rodriguez abused his place as a cop to amass AR-style rifles and pistols not out there to personal residents below Illinois legislation.
The indictment alleges Rodriguez used his CPD credentials to purchase restricted weapons in Illinois and Indiana, then falsely claimed on federal paperwork that he was the “precise purchaser.” Investigators say Valdez was the true buyer.
He allegedly transferred 1000’s of {dollars} to Rodriguez through Zelle for the purchases, then smuggled the weapons to Mexico.
The case contains particulars of a number of transactions: on September 17, 2024, Rodriguez purchased a Valhalla WLA15A rifle in Dyer, Indiana, after touring there with Valdez.
Days later, he purchased a Valhalla M4E1 pistol in Monee, Illinois. Each weapons had been later transferred to Valdez, in response to court docket paperwork.
Federal prosecutors say Rodriguez recognized himself because the “precise purchaser” of the weapons when he knew he was not.
Two months later, Valdez allegedly took each firearms to Mexico.
In accordance with metropolis payroll data, Rodriguez acquired $108,012 in base pay as a Chicago police officer final 12 months.
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