Crime & Law
Feds Accuse Chicago Police Officer of Straw Purchasing Firearms That Were Smuggled to Mexico
(WTTW News)
A Chicago police officer is accused of using his official credentials to purchase an assault weapon and another firearm in an attempt to smuggle them into Mexico.
According to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday, Officer Kevin Rodriguez, 27, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and straw purchasing firearms as part of the alleged scheme.
A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department on Wednesday said Rodriguez was immediately placed into no-pay status following the federal indictment and has been relieved of his police powers since July 3.
“The Chicago Police Department has no tolerance for criminal actions by any of our members,” the department said in a statement. “The alleged actions of this one police officer do not represent the lifesaving work being done by our department.”
Rodriguez was charged alongside 25-year-old Diego Valdez, who faces counts of conspiracy and firearm trafficking.
According to the indictment, Rodriguez used his credentials as a Chicago police officer in order to purchase an “AR-style rifle.” Valdez allegedly sent him money over the money transfer app Zelle so Rodriguez could buy firearms on his behalf.
Rodriguez allegedly travelled with Valdez to Indiana in September 2024, where Rodriguez purchased a Valhalla model WLA15A, 5.56mm rifle from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Dyer. Days later, Rodriguez also allegedly bought a pistol from a dealer in Monee, Illinois.
Valdez allegedly paid Rodriguez at least $2,632 for the firearms, and in December transported them from the U.S. to Mexico.
The indictment alleges that Rodriguez falsely stated on federal forms that he was the actual buyer of the firearms, when he knew that he was not. It also adds that Valdez “did not have, and did not apply for, legal permission from the State of Illinois to possess an assault weapon.”
In addition to the federal case, the CPD has also launched its own internal investigation into Rodriguez.
He turned himself in to federal authorities and appeared in court Tuesday, where he was released on a $15,000 unsecured appearance bond. Rodriguez is due back in court for a status hearing in October.
