Pubdate: Sat, 22 Mar 2014
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2014 Sun-Times Media, LLC
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
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COP PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES, GETS 24 YEARS

One of three Schaumburg police detectives accused of reselling drugs 
they had seized from dealers pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced 
to 24 years in prison.

Terrence O'Brien, 47, an officer in the northwest suburb for 23 
years, will have to serve a minimum of 12 years, said Paul Darrah, 
spokesman for the DuPage County state's attorney's office.

Also charged in the investigation were John Cichy, 30, a 10-year 
Schaumburg police veteran; and Matthew Hudak, 29, a five-year veteran.

All were charged with numerous felonies, including delivery of a 
controlled substance, armed violence, criminal drug conspiracy, theft 
and burglary, prosecutors said.

The officers are accused of taking part in an elaborate plan, lasting 
at least six months, that involved withholding drugs taken during 
arrests, then reselling them through a street dealer, DuPage County 
prosecutors said. The drugs included marijuana and cocaine, authorities said.

The plan came to light in January 2013 as part of a drug 
investigation being conducted by Carol Stream police.

An informant told investigators the officers had contacted him about 
six months ago to sell drugs given to him by the cops, prosecutor 
Audrey Anderson said in earlier court proceedings.

After his arrest, O'Brien told investigators he took part in the 
scheme "for the thrill of it," Anderson said.

"He did not have any money problems," she said, though authorities 
contended the veteran officer was living "two lives."

O'Brien was married, but also had a girlfriend in the area with whom 
he had a child, Anderson said in court.

His girlfriend also faces drug charges; she is accused of 
participating in the drug scheme.

Sun-Times Media Wire
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