DuPage Sheriff Official Insulted Superiors: Records

WHEATON, IL – A DuPage County sheriff's lieutenant and deputy were found last month to be improperly using criminal databases, while the lieutenant disparaged higher-ups in text messages to his subordinates, according to an internal investigation.

On Aug. 24, the office completed a 26-page "confidential" report on issues in the county jail's gang unit. The inquiry was prompted by the FBI, which indicated it is auditing the sheriff's office.

Patch obtained the report through a public records request.

The report focused on Lt. Christopher VanHoose and Deputy Steven Rottar.

According to the document, both men used the criminal databases, even though their certifications to access them expired last year. Some of the names they ran in the databases were of those who were no longer in the jail's custody.

During the investigation, the sheriff's office obtained texts among gang unit members that insulted officials. They were obtained from work phones.

In a June 2021 text, VanHoose called corrections bureau chief Mark Garcia an "idiot," referring to an email about the effort to minimize overtime.

Another unit member responded to insult Garcia, "F--- him and his mother," to which VanHoose replied, "Yup," the report said.

VanHoose also wrote, "I need to finish the task of burning the place down to get (Sheriff James) Mendrick to implement the unit," according to the report.

Shortly after, the report said, another gang unit member wrote co-workers about Deputy Corrections Chief Tim Schoenenberger: "F--- him and his family especially."

In another series of texts, when a gang unit member said others refused to do the trash despite being called to do so, VanHoose wrote, "Time to make life suck for the supervisors," the report said.

In a September 2021 text, investigators said, VanHoose suggested a way to respond to union grievances: "Send them a tampon."

During an internal affairs interview, VanHoose was described as "aloof and unconcerned" at first. He later admitted he made a mistake in running names of people in criminal databases after his certification expired, according to the report.

VanHoose acknowledged his text messages were inappropriate, but when asked, he said he had respect for his superiors, the report said.

According to the report, Rottar admitted he ran hundreds of names through criminal databases, despite his expired certification. Investigators said Rottar admitted he should not have been using the system.

According to the sheriff's office, Rottar received a five-day suspension for violations outlined in the report and is back on duty.

VanHoose's fate is expected to be decided by the DuPage County Merit Commission, which conducts hearings on disciplinary charges.

Asked for comment by Patch, Dan Herbert, Rottar's lawyer, responded in an email, "Perhaps after we receive discovery in this matter."

Jon Karmel, who was listed as VanHoose's attorney in the report, did not return a message for comment.

According to county records, VanHoose's and Rottar's salaries are $128,000 and $73,000, respectively.

VanHoose's LinkedIn page says he has been with the sheriff's office for nearly two decades, having been promoted to lieutenant in April 2021.