Tony D. DeBois, Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Illinois 2023

A former deputy police chief in south suburban Markham has been arrested and charged with violating a victim's civil rights through acts of aggravated sexual abuse.

Tony D. DeBois, 41, of Matteson, was taken into custody at his home this morning by special agents of the FBI without incident.

DeBois was scheduled to appear in Federal Court today before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier at 2:15 p.m.

The indictment alleges that on September 23, 2010, while acting in his official capacity as Markham deputy police chief, DeBois violated the victim's right to bodily integrity by acts that included aggravated sexual abuse.

DeBois served as deputy chief between 2008 and approximately 2011, and he was also the Markham Police Department's head of internal affairs between 2007 and approximately 2011.

The felony civil rights violation carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The public is reminded that the charge is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/former-markham-deputy-police-chief-arrested-federal-civil-rights-charge-alleging