A Milwaukee police officer abruptly resigned this month after TMJ4’s Lighthouse investigative team began asking questions about why he remained off the Brady List for two years following a drunk driving arrest in Illinois. The delayed disclosure forced the District Attorney’s office to take action.
Former Officer Christopher De La Vega was arrested in April 2023 for driving under the influence and reckless driving in Wheaton, Illinois, while off-duty. Body camera footage shows De La Vega swerving around vehicles into oncoming traffic and driving 75 mph in a 35 mph zone.
During the traffic stop, De La Vega repeatedly denied drinking alcohol despite officers detecting the smell of alcohol on his breath. He asked the arresting officer if he would turn off his body camera, and failed eight breathalyzer attempts before being arrested.
“You’re already being deceptive with me by saying you haven’t had anything to drink, right?” the arresting officer said during the stop.
Milwaukee Police Department records show De La Vega was suspended the day after his arrest, and an internal investigation was launched immediately. Internal documents reveal De La Vega later admitted to his own department that he “consumed a beer and a couple of cocktails with tequila.”…