Morris Pasqual, Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois
Morris Pasqual, Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois
A Chicago Police officer has been indicted on federal firearm charges for allegedly conspiring to make illegal "straw purchases" of firearms for an acquaintance who then transported the weapons to Mexico.
According to an indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Kevin Rodriguez, a 27-year-old police officer, used his position to purchase an AR-15 style rifle in Dyer, Indiana and a handgun in Monee, Illinois during the fall of 2024. The indictment states that Rodriguez falsely claimed on official forms that he was the actual buyer of the guns. Instead, he allegedly bought the firearms for Diego Valdez, 25, who selected and paid for the weapons. After completing the purchases and falsifying documents, Rodriguez gave the guns to Valdez, who then smuggled them into Mexico.
Rodriguez is charged with conspiracy, making false statements regarding firearm acquisition, and purchasing a firearm intended for another individual as part of a felony. Valdez faces charges of conspiracy and knowingly receiving a straw purchased firearm. Both men pleaded not guilty during arraignments earlier this week. A status hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2025 before U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr.
The announcement was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge at the Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elie Zenner represents the government.
The investigation is being carried out with ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) in Chicago. The CGIC serves as a central hub where federal, state, and local law enforcement officers work together with prosecutors and intelligence analysts to investigate and prosecute violent crimes related to gun violence throughout northern Illinois.
"The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."
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