Cop from North Aurora charged with dealing drugs from squad

A North Aurora man who works as a police sergeant in LaSalle County has been accused of dealing marijuana out of his squad car, according to police.

Sergio J. Fuentes, 41, of the 1500 block of West Mooseheart Road, was arrested Jan. 29 and charged with official misconduct and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Authorities said Fuentes, a sergeant with the Earlville Police Department, used his cruiser while he was on duty to deliver cannabis to someone working with the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team. After returning to the police station, searches turned up more marijuana in the officer's personal vehicle as well as Clonazepam, a prescription medication used to treat seizure disorders and panic attacks, in a bag in his cruiser, officials said.

If convicted of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony, Fuentes would face up to five years in prison. He also stands to lose his badge and pension.

Earlville Mayor Mike Hall said Fuentes has been a local police officer for a little more than three years. He has been suspended without pay and could face termination at a formal disciplinary hearing expected to take place next week, the mayor said.

"From my previous knowledge of him, I was stunned by the accusations," Hall said. "He responded the day my mother-in-law died and assisted with CPR."

Earlville is about 30 miles west of Yorkville. The estimated population is 1,822, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.