Alton police captain suspended in evidence probe

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - An Alton police captain has become the department's second officer suspended over allegations that evidence in various criminal cases was wrongly destroyed.

An attorney for the captain tells the (Alton) Telegraph that the suspension is unwarranted and that his client will have a hearing next month before the Alton Civil Service Commission.

The captain has not been charged.

Earlier this month, a Madison County grand jury indicted 38-year-old Jonathan Forrler on a felony count of official misconduct over the destruction of evidence in a sexual assault case.

Forrler was the department's evidence officer.

The county's state's attorney, Tom Gibbons, has said his office filed notice in 130 criminal cases advising defendants and their attorneys of the destruction of evidence in their cases.

Forrler hasn't commented publicly about the case.