Anti-Gang Cops Accused Of Robbing Drug Dealers In Chicago

Members of a Chicago Police Department anti-gang unit have been stripped of their power after a yearlong investigation by the FBI and Chicago police Internal Affairs Division accused the officers of abusing their power and robbing drug dealers. According to Fox News, authorities raided the home of at least two officers earlier in the week. No arrests have been made, but charges are expected to be filed. 

The investigation began after an informant alerted federal authorities members of the anti-gang unit had robbed him. The Chicago Tribune reports police set-up a sting operation and were able to record video of the cops robbing a drug dealer. 

The Tribune claims to have uncovered the identity of the sergeant who is at the center of the investigation but has not released his name because he has not been charged. Records show the 45-year-old sergeant has had 23 complaints filed against him throughout his 21-year career. Those complaints include "alleged illegal arrests, civil rights violations and improper use of a weapon." He has also been named in four federal lawsuits, including one that is still open. 

This is not the first time Chicago police officers have been accused of stealing from drug dealers. In 2011, four officers from the Special Operations Section were accused of "trying to conceal unlawful searches or arrests during which cash was stolen." In 2013, Sergeant Ronald Watts was sentenced to 22 months in jail for "stealing thousands of dollars from a purported drug courier who turned out to be an informant for the FBI in an undercover sting."

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