Joseph Miedzianowski
Born1953 or 1954 (age 69–70)
NationalityAmerican
Criminal statusIn prison
Criminal chargeracketeering, drug conspiracy (2001)
PenaltyLife
Imprisoned atFederal Correctional Institution, Pekin

Joseph Miedzianowski is a former Chicago Police Department officer who was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for racketeering and drug conspiracy. He is known as Chicago's "most corrupt cop" for his part in a cocaine sales ring with street gang members and other corrupt police officers.[1][2] During his 22-year police career[1] he received 59 citations for valor and arrests and was publicly praised for his high number of drug and illegal weapon busts.[3] During this time he was also secretly leaking the identity of undercover police officers to gang members, extorting protection money from drug organizations, distributing crack cocaine, and supplying gang members with ammunition.[4]

Miedzianowski's conviction led to the breakup of the department's anti-gang crimes unit.[5][6]

In 2020, Miedzianowski requested a reduction in his sentence under the First Step Act.[7] This request was denied.[8]

In 2022 brothers Juan and Rosendo Hernandez had their murder convictions thrown out after requesting a retrial, based on claims that Detective Reynaldo Guevara had framed them at the request of Miedzianowski.[9][10]

In media

The third episode of the British documentary series Untouchable was focused on Miedzianowski.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 Lighty, Todd; O'Connor, Matt (April 24, 2001). "'MOST CORRUPT' COP GUILTY". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  2. ↑ "The Federal Correctional Institution-Pekin's most notable inmates". Pekin Daily Times.
  3. ↑ Hagedorn, John (August 19, 2015). The insane Chicago way: the daring plan by Chicago gangs to create a Spanish mafia. University of Chicago Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-0226232935.
  4. ↑ Lighty, Todd; O'Connor, Matt (January 25, 2003). "Rogue cop gets life". chicagotribune.com.
  5. ↑ Meisner, Jason. "Federal jury convicts 2 Chicago cops of stealing cash and drugs with bogus search warrants". chicagotribune.com.
  6. ↑ Jurkanin, Thomas; Hillard, Terry (2006). Chicago police: an inside view--the story of superintendent Terry G. Hillard. Charles C Thomas. p. 138. ISBN 0398076111.
  7. ↑ Main, Frank (26 June 2020). "Over 60% in Chicago seeking early prison release under Trump's First Step Act go free". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  8. ↑ Seidel, Jon (7 July 2021). "Judge denies sentencing break to corrupt ex-Chicago cop Joseph Miedzianowski". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  9. ↑ Crepeau, Megan (June 7, 2022). "Brothers allege they were framed for 1997 murder at behest of one of Chicago's most corrupt cops". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  10. ↑ Crepeau, Megan (July 15, 2022). "Judge tosses murder convictions of brothers who allege framing by former Chicago police detective". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  11. ↑ "Miedzianowski". Untouchable. Season 1. Episode 3.
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