A Chicago Police officer has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly conspiring to purchase firearms on behalf of an acquaintance who later transported the weapons to Mexico.
According to an indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Kevin Rodriguez, 27, used his position as a police officer in the fall of 2024 to buy an AR-15 style rifle in Dyer, Indiana, and a handgun in Monee, Illinois. The indictment alleges that Rodriguez falsely certified on official forms that he was the actual buyer of the firearms. Prosecutors say Rodriguez purchased the guns for Diego Valdez, 25, who selected which weapons he wanted and paid Rodriguez to obtain them. After completing the purchases and falsifying paperwork, Rodriguez allegedly gave the firearms to Valdez, who then smuggled them into Mexico.
Rodriguez faces one count each of conspiracy, knowingly making false statements related to firearm acquisition, and knowingly purchasing a firearm intended for another person in furtherance of a felony. Valdez is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of knowingly receiving a straw purchased firearm. Both men pleaded not guilty during their arraignments earlier this week. A status hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2025 before U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr.
The charges were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elie Zenner is representing the government.
The investigation is being conducted alongside ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) in Chicago. The CGIC operates as a centralized hub focusing on investigating and preventing gun violence across northern Illinois through collaboration among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies as well as prosecutors and intelligence analysts.
“The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt,” authorities stated in announcing the charges. “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.”
