Federal Drug Charges For Sheriff's Deputy's Boyfriend And His Sister

CHICAGO — A convicted felon who posted bond on state gun and drug charges last month has been indicted on similar criminal charges in federal court. Sean Dwyer, 51, appeared Thursday before federal magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole on charges of conspiracy and possession of cocaine. He is also facing a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a gun.

Dwyer’s sister, Bridget Massey, 35, of Chicago, was also charged with conspiracy and drug possession. Massey pleased not guilty to the charges at a federal detention hearing Thursday and released on an I-bond.

An internal investigation is also underway for a Cook County sheriff’s deputy, said to be Dwyer’s girlfriend and living at a Chicago address in the 10900 block of South California Avenue, where illegal drugs and guns were allegedly being sold from. The woman was deputized and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. She has not been criminally charged.

On Aug. 17, Dwyer was pulled over by Cook County Sheriff’s Police and U.S. DEA agents in the 5300 block of South Morgan Street. Officers found 550 grams of cocaine in his vehicle, authorities said. A search of Dwyer’s home in the 10900 block of South California recovered two 9 mm handguns, 1.1 kilograms of cocaine and $85,000 cash, according to the charges. Officers said Dwyer did not have a valid FOID or conceal-carry license for the guns.

The feds seized the $85,000 and an orange Dodge Challenger Hellcat. A few days after his arrest, Dwyer posted a $1,500 and released back on the streets.

In 1993 Dwyer was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for ethnic intimidation, attempted murder and robbery. In 2010, he was sentenced to nine years in prison for manufacture and delivery of cocaine. Due to his past felony convictions, Dwyer was prohibited under federal law from possessing a gun.

Dwyer is due Monday for a detention hearing in federal court, where a judge will decide whether he should continue to be detained as a threat to public safety, or released on his own recognizance. The feds have seized the $85,000 and an orange Dodge Challenger Hellcat.

If convicted of the federal charges, Dwyer faces a minimum of 15 years to life in a federal prison.