Xavier Herrera was arrested after a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration source recorded on videotape the officer trying to buy 3 kilograms of cocain
Xavier Herrera was arrested Thursday after a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration source recorded on videotape the officer trying to buy 3 kilograms of cocaine for about $60,000, federal agents reported.Herrera, 47, is in jail in Chicago pending a detention hearing Wednesday to determine whether he will get bond or remain behind bars throughout his trial.The DEA affidavit filed against Herrera describes him as a middleman in the cocaine transaction, helping to arrange a sale between a government informant and a man named Fedrick Farmer.After Herrera's arrest in a Burger King parking lot in Summit, Ill., he waived his right to talk to a lawyer and signed a statement admitting his role, government records say."Herrera further said he would make $500 on the transaction," the DEA affidavit says.arrested Farmer, Herrera and a third man, Juan Gutierrez, who is described as handing the informant a duffel bag filled with cash totaling more than $60,000 in exchange for 3 kilograms of cocaine.
The DEA affidavit also says the investigation into Herrera began after an unnamed suspect was arrested in March during an investigation of methamphetamine sales.
The suspect told police he had personally delivered 20 kilograms of cocaine smuggled directly from Mexico to an East Chicago police officer's home, federal records say. The suspect placed a recorded phone call to Herrera in which the officer agreed to discuss a future cocaine sale with an associate of the suspect, the DEA alleges.
The suspect has since "disappeared" and now is a fugitive from justice, the affidavit says.Soon afterward, another DEA informant called Herrera and claimed to be the associate of the meth suspect.The affidavit alleges Herrera initially agreed to buy multiple kilogram quantities of Mexican cocaine from the DEA informant during numerous phone calls and three in-person meetings at a Mexican restaurant in Bridgeview, Ill.During their fourth meeting, when the drugs allegedly were to be exchanged, Herrera was arrested.At the time of his arrest, Herrera had a fully loaded .45-caliber Colt semi-automatic handgun tucked into his waistband in addition to a .357-caliber unloaded handgun in the center console of his vehicle, the DEA alleges.Herrera, who was not on duty at the time of his arrest, is an 18-year veteran of the department.Police Chief Angelo Machuca said Monday he will be requesting to have Herrera placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case."It is regrettable that my department's image has been tarnished by one individual's actions," Machuca said in a written statement. "It bothers me to hear of an officer that has gone wrong because I do have an outstanding, dedicated group of officers."
The DEA affidavit also says the investigation into Herrera began after an unnamed suspect was arrested in March during an investigation of methamphetamine sales.
The suspect told police he had personally delivered 20 kilograms of cocaine smuggled directly from Mexico to an East Chicago police officer's home, federal records say. The suspect placed a recorded phone call to Herrera in which the officer agreed to discuss a future cocaine sale with an associate of the suspect, the DEA alleges.
The suspect has since "disappeared" and now is a fugitive from justice, the affidavit says.Soon afterward, another DEA informant called Herrera and claimed to be the associate of the meth suspect.The affidavit alleges Herrera initially agreed to buy multiple kilogram quantities of Mexican cocaine from the DEA informant during numerous phone calls and three in-person meetings at a Mexican restaurant in Bridgeview, Ill.During their fourth meeting, when the drugs allegedly were to be exchanged, Herrera was arrested.At the time of his arrest, Herrera had a fully loaded .45-caliber Colt semi-automatic handgun tucked into his waistband in addition to a .357-caliber unloaded handgun in the center console of his vehicle, the DEA alleges.Herrera, who was not on duty at the time of his arrest, is an 18-year veteran of the department.Police Chief Angelo Machuca said Monday he will be requesting to have Herrera placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case."It is regrettable that my department's image has been tarnished by one individual's actions," Machuca said in a written statement. "It bothers me to hear of an officer that has gone wrong because I do have an outstanding, dedicated group of officers."
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