CHICAGO -- An East Chicago, Ind., police officer tried to buy 5 kilograms of cocaine from an informant working for federal agents last week, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago.
Xavier Herrera, 47, an 18-year police veteran, was charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it, court records show.
The complaint alleges Herrera on Thursday brought $60,000 to the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant in Summit for what he thought would be a drug deal.
The source of the drugs was working for the Drug Enforcement Agency, federal prosecutors said. Herrera, who was off-duty, was arrested after he arrived with the money.
Angelo Machuca Jr., chief of the East Chicago department, said he would move to place Herrera on leave pending termination.
"I welcome any federal agency to investigate any misconduct in our department," Machuca said in a statement.
An attorney for Herrera could not immediately be reached for comment.
Arrested along with Herrera were Juan Gutierrez, 29, and Federick Farmer, 34, both of Chicago. All three men were expected to appear in Federal Court in Chicago on Wednesday for a detention hearing.