PONTIAC, IL — A corrections officer faces up to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of possession with intent to deliver drugs and official misconduct at the Pontiac Correctional Center.
It took a jury more than five hours to deliver a guilty verdict on June 25.
Michael Churin, 30, of Bridgeview, was found guilty of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Class 1 felony, and official misconduct, a Class 3 felony.
Churin was a corrections officer at the Pontiac prison when he was charged on June 2, 2023.
More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Pontiac Daily Leader app
According to a post on the Livingston County State’s Attorney’s Facebook page, Churin was identified by an inmate as bringing in contraband, including narcotics, into the prison.
An investigation resulted in a charge of intent to deliver methamphetamine. Because Churin was in his official capacity as a public employee, he also was charged with official misconduct.
Churin’s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.
According to Mike Regnier, Livingston County State’s Attorney, Churin can receive a sentence of probation or prison time of up to 15 years for the possession with intent to deliver charge and up to five years for the misconduct charge. Regnier said the sentences would run concurrently.
Erich Murphy is a reporter for the (Pontiac) Daily Leader. He can be reached at emurphy@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Corrections officer found guilty of delivering meth into Pontiac prison