FBI searches Harvey police station

FBI agents searched the police station Friday in south suburban Harvey, where four current or former officers have been charged in a sting operation aimed at lawmen who allegedly hired out to provide protection for drug dealers.

"They are executing a search warrant as part of an ongoing federal investigation," FBI spokesman Ross Rice said.

The agents arrived at the police station at mid-morning and were still searching early Friday afternoon. There were no arrests.

Fifteen current or former law enforcement officers and two other individuals were charged Tuesday in a federal sting operation aimed at lawmen who were allegedly hired out to ride shotgun for narcotics dealers, guarding the cash and the drugs.

Four of those charged were current or former members of the Harvey force.

The Harvey mayor's office referred a caller to police spokeswoman Sandra Alvarado. A message left on her voicemail was not immediately returned.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier on Thursday upheld charges against former Harvey police officer Archie Stallworth. He is accused of agreeing to guard fake drugs brought into DuPage Airport aboard a twin-engine plane piloted by undercover agents pretending to be drug runners.

Stallworth had challenged the charges and sought to have them dropped.

But Schenkier said the case could go forward after prosecutors showed him a photo of Stallworth carrying two duffel bags that agents said contained fake drugs.

Defense attorney Benjamin Starks said there would be a "sufficient explanation" for the charges when his client goes to trial.