By Amanda Marrazzo
A former Richmond police officer accused of possessing
stolen firearms was ordered in a McHenry County courtroom today to turn over
his passport while he awaits trial.
Ryszard Kopacz, 30, of Wauconda, was arrested July 9 –
days after he started his job with and then was fired from the Richmond police
force -- and charged with official misconduct, burglary and possessing stolen
guns. A judge set bond at $10,000 and Kopacz was released from jail Thursday.
At a preliminary hearing this morning before McHenry
County Judge Gordon Graham, Assistant State's Attorney Michael Combs, head of
the criminal division for McHenry County, requested that the court order Kopacz
to relinquish his passport.
Defense attorney Steven Goldman argued that the
charges his client faced could result in probation if he’s convicted and that
there was no need for Ryszard to turn over his passport. Goldman also said that
if his client were to be ordered to turn over his passport, then all defendants
should be required to do so.
On July 6, just a few days on the job as a part-time
Richmond police officer, Kopacz was fired for not showing up to work the day
before, according to a release from the department.
State police were notified and an investigation was
launched following a complaint to the department claiming that, on July 4,
Kopacz had gone door to door in the small McHenry County town and, dressed in
full police uniform, solicited prescription drugs from residents, authorities
said.
As a result of the state police investigation, Kopacz
now faces separate, criminal charges that he burglarized his previous employer,
the nearby Hebron Police Department, and possessed two stolen rifles.
The investigation into the prescription drug-related
matter is ongoing, Richmond police Chief Ciro Cetrangolo said in a statement.
Illinois State Police spokeswoman Monique Bond declined to comment, citing a
pending investigation.
Kopacz is expected to be indicted by a grand jury
before his next set court date of Aug. 7, his attorney said.
