Illinois Cop Used Squad Car To Deliver Pot

Sgt. Sergio Fuentes, 41, of Aurora, Ill., was charged with felonious possession of a controlled substance and official misconduct according to the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team (Tri-DENT), reports Mike Hanley at the <a href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/2023750,Cop-charged-with-using-squad-deliver-pot_AU020110.article">Sun Times Media Wire.

Police said Fuentes on Friday delivered marijuana to a person who was informing for the narcotics team. Sgt. Fuentes was on duty at the time of the alleged delivery, and drove his Earlville, Illinois police squad car.

Fuentes was arrested a short time later at the Earlville police station.

After the arrest, officers found more pot in Fuentes' personal car, then recovered a controlled drug, Clonazepam, a prescription muscle relaxer, from his personal duty bag, when his squad car was searched at the request of Earlville Police Chief Joe Plumlee.

Tri-DENT spokesman Zach Milus told Charles Stanley at mywebtimes.com that a single pill of Clonazepam was found, for which Fuentes did not have a prescription.

Fuentes was taken to the county jail after LaSalle County State's Attorney Brian Towne approved the charges. Fuentes posted $7,500 bond and was released from jail, with his next court hearing set for Thursday.

Fuentes has been suspended without pay, according to Earlville Mayor Mike Hall. At the advice of the city's attorneys, Fuentes' medical benefits remain in place for the time being, according to the mayor.

"As a city, obviously we're very disappointed," Hall said Monday. "We're shocked."

Fuentes had been with the Earlville Police Department almost three years, according to Chief Plumlee, and was generally thought to be doing a good job, Mayor Hall said.

The police sergeant hurt his knee on the job and had been out on workman's compensation, returning a few months ago.

Official misconduct carries a possible prison sentence of up to five years. Fuentes could also get up to three years on the marijuana charges.

The Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team consists of police departments from LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties in Illinois.