SERGEANT ON LEAVE AFTER SON'S ARREST

The Joliet Police Department has put a sergeant on administrative
leave in the wake of her son's arrest on drug charges last week at her
home, police said Monday.

Sgt. Cynthia Williams, a Police Department employee since 1980, became
the first woman to serve in an administrative capacity when she was
promoted in January.

Her son, Jason Williams, 21, was arrested Friday after the
Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad and state police executed a search
warrant at her home in the 200 block of Hunter Avenue.

The Joliet Police Department did not participate in the investigation,
Police Chief David Gerdes said on Monday.

Jason Williams was charged with possession of a controlled substance
and unlawful use of a weapon, said Master Sgt. Karl Anderson of the
MANS office in Joliet. He was released from the Will County Jail on
Saturday after posting $3,000 bond.

The search warrant had been issued by the Will County state's
attorney's office, Anderson said.

Agents said that they found marijuana and a pistol, resulting in
charges of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a
weapon, he said.

Anderson said he could not comment further on the case, declining to
answer whether Jason Williams had a police record and what prompted
the investigation. Jason Williams, who was the only person at home
during the raid, was cooperative, Anderson said.

Gerdes said that Cynthia Williams, who was put on paid leave, is not a
subject in the criminal investigation. He said the department could
finish its investigation of her within a few days.

"Obviously, it is imperative that we investigate why an illegal drug
was found in a house owned by an officer," Gerdes said.