Sergio J. Fuentes, 41, of the 1500 block of West Mooseheart Road, was arrested Jan. 29 and charged with official misconduct and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Authorities said Fuentes, a sergeant with the Earlville Police Department, used his cruiser while he was on duty to deliver cannabis to someone working with the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team.

After returning to the police station, searches turned up more marijuana in the officer’s personal vehicle as well as Clonazepam, a prescription medication used to treat seizure disorders and panic attacks, in a bag in his cruiser, officials said.

If convicted of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony, Fuentes would face up to five years in prison. He also stands to lose his badge and pension.

Earlville Mayor Mike Hall said Fuentes has been a local police officer for a little more than three years. He has been suspended without pay and could face termination at a formal disciplinary hearing expected to take place next week, the mayor said.

“From my previous knowledge of him, I was stunned by the accusations,” Hall said. “He responded the day my mother-in-law died and assisted with CPR.”

Earlville is about 30 miles west of Yorkville. The estimated population is 1,822, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.

Cop from North Aurora charged with dealing drugs from squad car | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Charles E. Granter, 64, had been found guilty in 2009 for two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, involving the girls, who were 9 and 11 when the incidents took place between 2005 and 2007.

State law mandated the life sentence, so there was little suspense in Wednesday’s hearing before Kane County Judge Allen Anderson. But before being sentenced, Granter gave a 20-minute address, criticizing Anderson, the North Aurroa police, prosecutors and the alleged victims, who, according to Granter, lied about him.

Granter called Kane “the most corrupt county I’ve ever seen” and said there were flaws in the prosecution’s timeline that would have required him to possess a “Star Trek” style transporter device.

“I never dreamed I’d end up like this,” he said finally.

According to authorities, Granter met the girls and their families through the church they all attended. Granter’s wife and a half-dozen church members were in court as a show of support for Granter.

“If I needed help, he’d be the person I’d call,” fellow church member Terry McKinney said of Granter.

–Clifford Ward

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Man gets life in prison for sexually assaulting 2 girls | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.