Chicago, IL-(ENEWSPF)- A federal jury Tuesday convicted two Chicago Police officers of fraudulently obtaining search warrants and stealing cash and drugs from properties they searched.
Officers XAVIER ELIZONDO and DAVID SALGADO were assigned to a gang team in the Chicago Police Department’s Tenth District. According to evidence at trial, the officers conspired to submit materially false information to state court judges to fraudulently obtain search warrants that enabled them to enter various properties and seize cash and drugs. The officers would then steal the items and falsify police reports to conceal the thefts.
Elizondo, 47, and Salgado, 39, both of Chicago, were found guilty on all counts against them, including conspiracy to commit theft, deprivation of civil rights, embezzlement, and obstruction of justice. Salgado was also charged and convicted of making a false statement to the FBI. Sentencings were set for Jan. 23, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly.
The convictions were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI. The Chicago Police Department provided valuable assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean J.B. Franzblau and Ankur Srivastava.
Obstruction of justice is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The embezzlement and civil rights counts each carry a maximum sentence of ten years, while the conspiracy and false statement counts are each punishable by up to five years.
This is from a release from the United States Department of Justice.
