Chicago Cops Stole Drugs, Cash Using Falsified Warrants: Feds

CHICAGO, IL — Two Chicago police officers are accused of fraudulently obtaining search warrants to steal cash and drugs from the properties they searched, according to a federal indictment announced Thursday. The officers were assigned to a gang unit on the city's West Side, according to court documents. Both cops have been charged with theft and embezzlement, court documents show.

Sgt. Xavier Elizondo, 45, and Officer David Salgado, 37, of Chicago, were assigned to a gang team in the Ogden (10th) police district, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Elizondo oversaw the team, and conspired with Salgado to submit false information to state court judges to obtain search warrants, according to the attorney's office. The warrants were used to enter properties to steal cash and drugs, authorities said.

The officers then falsified police reports to conceal the thefts, according to the indictment. Elizondo and Salgado stole $4,200 in cash from a rental vehicle on Jan. 28, court documents show. On Jan. 29, Elizondo is accused of instructing Salgado to remove property from his home after finding out that law enforcement was potentially investigating both of them. Salgado lied to the FBI, claiming that he didn't remember whether he had returned home during his shift, court documents show.

According to the indictment, Elizondo and Salgado submitted false applications for "J. Doe" search warrants, which rely on information provided by confidential informants with knowledge of criminal activity. Both officers recruited two Chicago residents to pose as "J. Doe" informants and give false information to the court to obtain the warrants, the attorney's office said. The officers then paid the fake informants in marijuana and PCP, court documents show.

Elizondo and Salgado have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft and one count of embezzlement, the attorney's office said. Salgado has been charged with one count of making a false statement to the FBI, according to the office.

“When police officers fail to discharge their duties with honesty and integrity, they betray not only the citizens of Chicago, but their fellow officers who do their jobs the right way,” U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch said in a statement. “Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute corruption at all levels, and hold accountable public servants who choose to violate the public trust for personal gain.”

As of Thursday, arraignment dates for Elizondo and Salgado in U.S. District Court had not yet been scheduled.

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