Hearing for jailed Chicago DEA agent in rare gun, drugs case

CHICAGO (AP) - A federal magistrate judge will decide whether a Chicago DEA agent will remain jailed on charges that he joined the agency specifically to help a murderous Puerto Rican-based gang traffic guns and cocaine.

Tuesday's detention hearing in Chicago could offer fresh details about rare claims a Drug Enforcement Administration employee worked undetected as a mole in the U.S. for years.

Forty-one-year-old Fernando Gomez was arrested last week at the DEA's Chicago office in a case brought in New York. If convicted of conspiracy and other charges, he could spend decades in prison.

Prosecutors say Gomez began smuggling guns while working for suburban Chicago's Evanston police between 2004 and 2011, and then joined the DEA.

Gomez's attorney says the allegations are a "far cry" from the "good character" he says Gomez possesses.