Ex-jail guard gets 100-year sentence in drug killing

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Ex-jail guard gets 100-year sentence in drug killing
Chicago Tribune

By Carlos Sadovi

January 11, 2007


A former Cook County correctional officer was sentenced Wednesday to 100 years in prison for the 2002 killing of a man from whom he was attempting to collect a drug debt.
John LaValle, 37, was convicted by a jury in October for killing Jeffrey Smith, 22, at his home in the 1400 block of North Lotus Avenue.

Prosecutors said during his trial that LaValle, who was an officer in a medium security wing of the Cook County Jail, was working for drug dealers who ordered him to collect a $70,000 debt from Smith's father.

But LaValle testified during his trial that he went to Smith's home to provide security for two men who were collecting money from someone at the home. LaValle, of Orland Hills, said that he did not know he was accompanying the men to collect a drug debt.

LaValle said in his testimony that he fired a single shot from his gun only after Smith came out of his house with a machine gun and opened fire on him.

Before sentencing, Cook County Criminal Court Judge Marcus Salone said he did not believe LaValle's testimony, said Assistant Cook County State's Atty. Mark Shlifka.

Salone said that LaValle had disgraced his position and his actions have contributed to the distrust of police officers by many people, Shlifka said.

In addition to LaValle, Carlos Santos, 28, of the 3800 block of West Diversey Avenue, and Alexander Valencia, 34, of the the 9600 block of South Kedvale Avenue in Oak Lawn, have been convicted for their roles in the killing. The two men are scheduled to be sentenced March 1.

Also on Wednesday, Cook County Correctional Officer Frederick Burton of Oak Park was ordered held on $275,000 bail after being charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute and official misconduct.