Jan. 02--A Cook County deputy sheriff has been charged with felony attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault after allegedly soliciting and threatening a prostitute, authorities said.
When Chicago police officers noticed a car double parked and partially blocking an alley in the 1500 block of North Avers Avenue around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, sheriff's Deputy Fernando B. Rodriguez tried to wave them off, saying: "It's OK guys, I'm on the job," according to court documents.
A woman, who police said was a known prostitute, got out of the passenger seat and told the officers Rodriguez asked her to enter the car, then told her he was a police officer and displayed a holstered handgun, according to court documents.
Assistant State's Attorney Beth Novy said Thursday that the woman told the officers that Rodriguez, who was off duty at the time, implied a sexual act and told the woman "if she handled this the right way, he would let her go."
The officers arrested Rodriguez, 52, of River Grove, after determining he "was not acting in any official capacity," Novy said.
According to Novy, police officers saw Rodriguez driving around the same area, which she said is known for prostitution, in November.
Rodriguez was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail Thursday in Cook County court after being charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated unlawful restraint and official misconduct, all felonies. He also received citations for double parking and blocking an alley.
According to sheriff's spokeswoman Sophia Ansari, Rodriguez was stripped of his police powers and the department has initiated disciplinary action.
Rodriguez worked in the civil process unit, where he was responsible for serving court papers, Ansari said.
According to county records, he began working for the county on July 1, 1991.
