Court documents say a now-former McHenry County sheriff’s detective facing felony charges used his county-issued cellphone to arrange drug deals and prostitution deals.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office administration was notified on September 16 of an “off-duty incident” involving Detective Christopher Marvel, 39, of Poplar Grove.
Marvel was immediately placed on administrative leave as a result, according to the sheriff’s office.
The agency opened an internal investigation in accordance with their department policy.
Marvel resigned on December 21 before the internal investigation was completed.
The Illinois Training and Standards Board was notified of his resignation in accordance with the SAFE-T Act, the sheriff’s office said.
The Illinois State Police and McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office investigated and reviewed the case.
Marvel was charged on February 15 with eight counts of official misconduct, two counts of solicitation of a sexual act and one count of defrauding a drug or alcohol screening.
The case was impounded from the public after the charges were filed, court records show.
During an initial hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors asked McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis to unimpound the case.
Marvel’s attorney objected but did not provide a reason for why the case should continue to be impounded.
The judge denied prosecutors’ request and kept the case impounded.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office then filed a motion to rescind the order impounding the court file.
“Given that the defendant has been arrested and has appeared in court, there is no further need to impound the matter,” McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Miller said in the motion.
Miller cited a local court rule that says, “There is a strong statutory presumption of public access to the court’s files and records which may be overcome only on a compelling showing that the public’s right of access is outweighed by the interests of the public and the parties in protecting files, records or documents from public view.”
“Local Rule 10.27 enumerates specific exceptions to the presumption of public access. The case at hand does not involve an enumerated exception. Moreover, the defense cannot provide any compelling reason to curtail the public’s interest in having access to the court file,” Miller said.
Davis granted the motion during a hearing on Friday and unimpounded the case.
A criminal complaint detailing the charges against Marvel alleged he committed official misconduct on September 2 and September 8 “while acting in his official capacity and with the intent to obtain a personal advantage for himself” when he “performed an act in excess of his lawful authority.”
Marvel used a cellphone belonging to McHenry County to discuss the terms of a prostitution deal with a woman for which the two would be financially compensated, the complaint said.
Marvel additionally on September 2 and September 8 engaged in conspiracy to commit prostitution with the same woman, the complaint said.
The complaint said Marvel committed official misconduct on September 7 when he used his county-issued phone to “coordinate the acquisition of cocaine” and to reimburse himself extra money not used in the purchase. The offense also occurred on September 13.
The defrauding a drug test charge against Marvel stemmed from events that occurred from October 8 to October 10 where Marvel allegedly coordinated with a woman to obtain a child’s urine so that the woman could defraud a drug test, the complaint said.
The complaint said the solicitation of a sexual act charges against Marvel occurred between October 11 and October 21 when Marvel allegedly offered a person something of value in exchange for a sexual act.
The sheriff’s office said in a statement released Tuesday that they were “deeply disturbed and disappointed” in Marvel’s actions.
“The Sheriff’s Office holds each of its employees to a high standard of expectations. Each personnel matter is investigated on a case-by-case basis to ensure we continue to provide professional services to the community,” the statement said.
“While Marvel failed to rise to the level of expectations we have set forth, we want to also remind our community that we have a dedicated team of deputies who do continually serve the community, promoting safety and equal protection for all,” the statement added.
The sheriff’s office directed all questions on the matter to the Illinois State Police and McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The Illinois State Police declined to release any information on the case.
Sources told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that Marvel was taken into custody and processed on the charges on February 16, the day after the case was filed.
He was released from the McHenry County Jail as the charges against him are non-detainable.
Marvel is scheduled to appear in court again on April 19 for a preliminary hearing.