A judge in southeastern Illinois has tendered his resignation a week after being charged with possession of heroin as well as a firearms charge, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Michael Cook was arrested at the home of Sean D. McGilvery, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession of heroin. McGilvery is notable because in 2011 Cook dismissed a drug case against McGilvery providing that he complete "drug school," reports the Post-Dispatch.
On March 10 an incident occurred at a cabin owned by Cook. Only one week after being sworn in as a St. Clair County judge Joseph Christ, 49, died of a cocaine overdose while with Cook, according to the Associated Press.
Federal authorities are looking into the death of Christ but so far Cook has not been charged in Christ's death.
A member of the probation office in St. Clair County was also arrested and charged in connection with the drug bust. James K. Fogarty admitted to buying cocaine and reselling it to Cook and Christ on the day of Christ's overdose, according to the Post-Dispatch.
U.S. Attorney Steven Wiggington told the Post-Dispatch that the investigation was "fast moving and dynamic."
"This is a wide-open investigation and is not limited in scope to the St. Clair County courthouse," Wigginton said. "We have a number of leads we are tracking down."
Cook's letter of resignation was delivered to the head judge of St. Clair County, John Baricevic, by Cook's lawyer. Cook was unable to deliver the letter himself because he had entered a rehab facility, Baricevic told the Associated Press.
"I'm not surprised under the circumstances," Baricevic told the Associated Press. "In one sense, it was a formality, but a very important one. Disciplinary procedures seeking him removed could have taken a very long time. He has accepted responsibility, and that has allowed us to move ahead."
