Mount Prospect police sergeant could lose job after guilty plea
A highly decorated Mount Prospect police sergeant stands to lose his job after pleading guilty this fall to a criminal offense that could disqualify him from work in law enforcement.
Sgt. Anthony Lietzow was charged with aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery to a peace officer and resisting a peace officer after a July 19 fight at his Huntley home, according to a police report and court records. Records show Lietzow, 44, pleaded guilty Oct. 21 to the misdemeanor resisting charge, as part of a plea deal in which McHenry County prosecutors dismissed the felony aggravated battery charges. He was sentenced to one year of conditional discharge - a form of probation - and ordered to pay $2,278 in fines and court fees.
As a result of the conviction, Lietzow has been decertified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, which prevents him from working as a police officer.
Mount Prospect's board of fire and police commissioners met Monday for a hearing on Lietzow's status, but they agreed to postpone any decision until a meeting in January or February, Chief Timothy Janowick said.
Lietzow has been on administrative leave since his arrest, after which a McHenry County judge barred him from carrying a firearm.
Lietzow's attorney on Nov. 20 filed a motion asking a judge to vacate his guilty plea and reset the case for trial. A hearing on that request is scheduled for Dec. 16.
The 11-year veteran officer has served as a patrol officer, narcotics officer and a member of the Major Case Assistance Team. He was named the department's officer of the year in 2005, 2007 and 2009.
Lietzow, who was promoted to sergeant in 2014, also received the Cook County Sheriff's Award of Merit in 2006.