A Chicago police officer has been indicted on federal charges alleging he used his position to purchase an assault rifle and a pistol from area dealers last year and gave them to an associate who smuggled them into Mexico.
Kevin Rodriguez, 27, of Chicago, was charged in a 9-page indictment made public Wednesday with lying on federal paperwork in order to purchase the weapons, which were not available to ordinary citizens under Illinois law.
The indictment charged Rodriguez with one count each of conspiracy, knowingly making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, and purchasing a firearm intended for another individual in furtherance of a felony.
Also charged was his alleged accomplice, Diego Valdez, 25, who paid Rodriguez more than $2,600 for the weapons, which Valdez later took to Mexico for reasons not explained in the charges.
The indictment was filed under seal last week, court records show. Rodriguez self-surrendered on Tuesday and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel Fuentes, where he entered a plea of not guilty and was released on a recognizance bond.
Rodriguez’s attorney, Tom Breen, said Wednesday he had not yet seen any of the evidence in the case and declined to comment.
Valdez also pleaded not guilty and was released, court records show. His lawyer, Matthew McQuaid, also declined to comment.
Chicago police issued a written statement Wednesday saying Rodriguez had his police powers suspended on July 3, and was immediately put on no-pay status following his indictment.
“The Chicago Police Department has no tolerance for criminal actions by any of our members,” the statement read. “The alleged actions of this one police officer do not represent the lifesaving work being done by our department.”
The department declined to comment specifically on the charges due to the pending investigation.
Records show Rodriguez was first hired to the force in October 2019. Before he was stripped of his police powers, he was assigned to the department’s South Chicago (4th) District.
According to the indictment, Rodriguez agreed to “us his status as a Chicago police officer to buy firearms, including an assault weapon, and give them to Valdez” so he could smuggle them into Mexico.
On Sept. 17, 2024, Rodriguez and Valdez travelled from Chicago to a federally licensed gun dealer in Dyer, Indiana, where Rodriguez purchased a Valhalla model AR-15 rifle. A week later, Rodriguez bought a Valhalla model 5.56mm pistol from another dealer in Monee, according to the indictment.
Rodriguez gave both weapons to Valdez for a total of $2,632, the indictment stated. On Dec. 5, 2024, Valdez took the guns to Mexico.
The indictment alleged Rodriguez lied on federal paperwork where he declared he was purchasing both firearms for himself.
Since joining the department, Rodriguez has been the subject of at least nine misconduct complaints, according to the city’s Office of Inspector General. One of those, stemming from the improper pursuit of a suspect in 2022, netted Rodriguez a four-day suspension.
Other allegations against Rodriguez, none of which were sustained, included verbal abuse, conduct unbecoming and improper search and seizure, records show.
jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Originally Published: September 24, 2025 at 11:15 AM CDT