Ex-Chicago Cop Admits Robbing for Street Gang
Dec. 02--A former Chicago police officer pleaded guilty today in federal court in northwest Indiana to pulling off robberies and home invasions on behalf of the Latin Kings street gang.
Antonio C. Martinez Jr. faces 15 years to life in prison for raiding homes of rival gang members and robbing them of money, narcotics and weapons between 2004 and 2006.
Martinez was armed with his service weapon and wore his police badge as part of an effort to make the robberies -- several of which took place in Chicago --appear to be legitimate police investigations.
In pleading guilty to racketeering and narcotics conspiracies, Martinez agreed to cooperate with authorities in the federal probe and testify if necessary. Another Chicago police officer, Alex Guerrero, was also charged with Martinez last month.
Martinez, 40, resigned from the department in 2009 for unspecified medical reasons.
U.S. District Judge Rudy Lozano in Hammond tentatively scheduled sentencing for Martinez next June.
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