Former East Chicago Police Commander Louis Arcuri, has been sentenced to a three-year prison term for cocaine distribution, according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Indiana. Arcuri, 55, from Portage, Indiana, faced the judgment of United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund. His 36-month incarceration will be succeeded by a three-year period of supervised release.
While on duty and armed back on June 11, 2021, Arcuri provided cocaine to an associate, reveal case documents. He has been in federal custody since late February of this year. “The public rightly expects that those charged with enforcing the law will themselves abide by the law. Most law enforcement officers live up to this expectation,” United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson said. “However, this defendant, while a sworn officer, violated federal law by distributing illegal drugs. Today, the court sentenced him for his criminal activity. This case demonstrates my office’s commitment to promoting public safety through prosecution even when the offender wears a police badge.”
Herbert J. Stapleton, the FBI's Special Agent in Charge for Indianapolis, emphasized the gravity of such misconduct by an officer of the law, stating, "Law enforcement officers take an oath to protect and serve and are held to the highest standards of conduct so when an officer is found to be involved in criminal activity, it undermines the public’s trust,” as per United States Attorney's Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Nozick and Thomas M. McGrath prosecuted the case which emphasizes the justice system's commitment to addressing illegal actions within law enforcement ranks. The coordinated effort to uphold the law, regardless of the offender's profession, was highlighted by Aaron R. Wheeler, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI and ATF, with added support from the East Chicago and Whiting Police Departments.
