Lake County sheriff wants feds to return his firearms
Post-Tribune
January 27, 2017
As he awaits trial in April on corruption charges, Lake County Sheriff John Buncich wants the federal government to return his firearms.
Buncich filed a motion to modify conditions of his bond in U.S. District Court on Friday, seeking return of his firearms on the basis he needs them to carry out the duties of his job, according to court documents. Buncich's attorney, Bryan Truitt, said it is a small number of weapons and a sidearm is necessary to carry out his duties at the Lake County Sheriff's Department.
One of the conditions of his bond is that he is not allowed to possess any weapons, court documents stated. Buncich states in the motion that he has never been charged with a crime before and that the current charges do not involve a crime of violence.
Buncich, former Lake County Chief of Police Timothy Downs and William Szarmach, of CSA Towing in Lake Station, were named in a multicount indictment Nov. 18 alleging an illegal towing scheme in which the sheriff allegedly accepted bribes in the form of thousands of dollars in cash and donations to his campaign fund, Buncich's Boosters. All three are facing charges of wire fraud, while Buncich and Szarmach also are charged with bribery.
Buncich, whose department was in charge of deciding which companies were called for towing services, and Downs allegedly steered business toward towing operators in exchange for cash and checks. Buncich allegedly took more than $25,000 in cash bribes and $7,000 in checks from Szarmach and another towing operator identified as "Individual A," according to the indictment.
Buncich and Szarmach pleaded not guilty during their initial appearances in November.
Downs struck a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's office, admitting he cooperated with Buncich to solicit bribes from tow truck operators for favorable treatment.
Downs, who is scheduled for sentencing on March 16, has resigned from the Lake County Sheriff's Department.
No comments:
Post a Comment