Corrections officer faces forgery charges over stolen checks

A Stateville corrections officer is accused of depositing several stolen checks into his credit union account, officials said.

Francois Kopca, 28, of Romeoville, is facing three counts of felony forgery, a statement from Illinois State Police said.

Kopca appeared before a judge, who released Kopca on his own recognizance during a hearing Saturday afternoon that was livestreamed on YouTube.

On Oct. 17, 2019, ISP was notified by the Illinois State Police Federal Credit Union of multiple allegations of deceptive practices against Kopca, the statement said.

A “thorough” investigation followed, and Kopca was taken into custody without incident Friday at his home and charged with forgery.

During Kopca’s bond hearing, prosecutors alleged that on July 1, 2019, Kopca deposited two stolen checks for $1,047 and $237 from at least two victims into his personal account at the Chicago Patrolmen’s Credit Union, his credit union.

He never reported to the credit union that his debit card had been stolen, or that he had any unauthorized or illegal withdrawals or deposits to his account, prosecutors said.

The CEO of the credit union contacted ISP when the transactions were brought to their attention, and an investigation began.

Kopca, who lives with his wife and two children, graduated from Chicago’s Kenwood Academy High School and received a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University, according to Assistant Public Defender Courtney Smallwood, who added he has worked full-time for about five years at Stateville Correctional Center near Joliet.

Smallwood noted that none of the incidents alleged from 2019 were violent, and he has no criminal background, as Friday was his first arrest. Additionally, none of the complaints were signed by any of the alleged victims, Smallwood said.

After setting a $10,0000 I-bond, the judge said: “Sir, I’m releasing you on an I-bond. Appear in court as required. Don’t pick up any new cases while on bond. Understood?”

“Thank you so much, your honor,” Kopca told the judge.