(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A former state agriculture inspector is accused of lying under oath when he denied groping operators of animal care facilities while he was on duty, and now he faces federal charges.
Federal prosecutors say 41-year-old Jose Guillen of Melrose Park groped several victims from 2019 to 2021 as he paid visits to animal care facilities he inspected. As an animal and animal products investigator, he conducted on-site visits in Cook County, officials said Wednesday.
“Guillen had the power to influence whether an animal care facility received a license to operate and could continue in operation after receiving the license,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago said in a news release.
Animal care facilities include animal shelters, pet daycare centers and kennels.
Guillen has pleaded not guilty to four counts of deprivation of civil rights under color of law, and he also pleaded not guilty to one count of obstruction. The latter charge stems from sworn testimony he gave last year in a federal civil suit, prosecutors said.
The feds say Guillen lied under oath during a deposition when he denied touching four of the victims and claimed he only touched another victim’s buttocks by accident.
Guillen explained he had a clipboard in one hand and accidentally touched the woman’s buttocks with his other hand.
“I was keeping balance,” he said in the deposition, according to a transcript contained in the indictment against him.
“What made you lose balance?” Guillen was asked.
“I have two left feet so obviously I, I’m a little clumsy,” he replied.
The questioner persisted. “And to keep your balance, you ended up touching her buttocks?”
“That’s correct,” Guillen said.
A status hearing in his case is slated for Aug. 10.
Authorities ask anyone else with information to call the FBI at (312) 421-6700.
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