By Danny Fenster
ticklethewire.com
Another story from the city known for deep dish pizza, hot dogs and public corruption: a former Chicago police officer pleaded guilty Friday to a series of charges involving collusion with the violent Latin Kings street gang.
Antonio C. Martinez Jr., a 40-year-old former Chicago police officer, faces a possible lifetime sentence on charges including racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana; robbery; and using a firearm while committing the crimes, according to a statement from the Justice Department.
A series of robberies committed between 2004 and 2006 were done under the direction of the Latin Kings, Martinez admitted. He used his status as a police officer to facilitate the robberies, many of which were committed against drug traffickers in the region. He also admitted to picking up and dropping off packages of cocaine multiple times for the gang.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 14.
