Suburban Chicago officer sentenced for extortion

A Lyons police officer has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for extorting more than $48,000 from targets of investigations into illegal cigarette sales.

Jimmy J. Rodgers was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to extortion in May. The 44-year-old was a 14-year veteran of the Lyons Police Department and was assigned to a Food and Drug Administration task force.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Rodgers set up six fake transactions with suspected criminals in which he hand-cuffed them and stole their contraband and money. It says Rogers lied and concealed the scam.

The FBI discovered the extortion when a confidential source recruited by Rogers reported his actions.

Rodgers was also fined about $49,000 during sentencing.