Ex-Buffalo Grove cop accused of official misconduct, drug possession

A former Buffalo Grove police officer is being held in Lake County jail on $250,000 bail after being charged with two counts of felony official misconduct, officials announced Wednesday.

Lauren Greenwood, 27, of Mundelein, also was charged by the Lake County state's attorney's office with single misdemeanor counts of possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Illinois State Police officials said in a news release Wednesday that Greenwood was arrested after officials discovered she "illegally disseminated official information to an unauthorized individual for personal gain."

Chris Stevens, director of Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, said only that Greenwood accessed a police database and gave information she recovered to an unauthorized individual. Stevens said the group pursued charges against Greenwood because "the violation affected our operation."

Greenwood was taken into custody about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday after an investigation by the group, a division of the Illinois State Police.

Drug paraphernalia and a small amount of cannabis were found in her residence when police conducted a search, the news release adds.

Greenwood faces 3 to 7 years in prison if she's found guilty of the felony charge at trial, officials said.

She voluntarily resigned her police position Nov. 15, Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steven Casstevens said. She was hired as an officer June 25, 2012.

Casstevens said he could not provide additional comment on the case.

Because Greenwood was arrested on an information warrant, officials were unable to release details of the charges in bond court Wednesday, officials said.

Greenwood is due back in court Dec. 21 for status of attorney and bond review.