Two former police officers in DuPage County — one in Itasca and the other in West Chicago — are charged with misusing their authority to conduct unauthorized license plate searches, according to authorities.
Marisa Ciccola, 30, is charged with 13 counts of felony official misconduct and eight counts of misdemeanor computer tampering, and Gerardo Solis, 39, is charged with one count of official misconduct and one count of computer tampering, authorities said, adding both turned themselves in Monday and were released on recognizance.
"It is extremely troubling when someone entrusted with upholding the law is accused of breaking it," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.
"I would like to stress however, that the charges against these two defendants are not indicative of the honest, hardworking, professional men and women of the Itasca and West Chicago Police Departments. In fact, authorities with the Itasca and West Chicago Police Departments have been extremely helpful and cooperative throughout the investigations and for that, I commend them.
"Automated license plate readers are a crucial component of law enforcement and use of this technology has resulted in numerous arrests and undoubtedly made our communities much safer."
Between June 2025 and May 2026, while working as an Itasca officer, Ciccola made unauthorized inquiries into Illinois plates using the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System and Flock automated plate recognition system, according to authorities. Solis, while employed in West Chicago, made an unauthorized inquiry into a plate using Flock between Dec. 18, 2024, and Jan. 15, 2025, authorities said.
Both are set to appear in court Nov. 16, according to authorities.
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