By Lauren FitzPatrick
Chicago Sun-Times
A drug trafficker and police informant who ordered murders and kidnappings has agreed to testify against the Chicago narcotics cop prosecutors say was his partner.
Saul Rodriguez, 36, will cooperate with the government against Glenn Lewellen, he told U.S. Judge Joan B. Gottschall Friday morning. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering and murder in aid of racketeering.
In exchange for his testimony at Lewellen’s trial, Rodriguez has dodged the death penalty and a possible life sentence in prison. Federal prosecutors will ask that he be sentenced to 35 years if he fully cooperates. They also will ask prison officials to keep Rodriguez in protective custody, Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra L. Reynolds told the judge.
Rodriguez, in an orange jumpsuit, his hair cropped close, spoke softly when he answered the judge’s questions. He will not face sentencing until after Lewellen’s trial has concluded. He will have to forfeit some $9.5 million, homes in Chicago and Nevada, and several guns.
Between 1996 and April 2009, Rodriguez headed a major drug enterprise, according to the plea agreement: He paid fellow gang members to kill people in 2000 and 2001. He coordinated kidnappings and split the “ransom” paid by relatives to free his victims. He helped rip off rival drug dealers.
And as Lewellen’s informant, he collected some $700,000 in payments from the Chicago Police Department in exchange for information that often led to his competitors’ arrest.
Lewellen, who retired in 2002 after about 16 years on the force, is free on bail while awaiting trial on racketeering and drug charges. His attorney could not be reached for comment Friday.
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