ILLINOIS — A former Joliet police officer has been sentenced to two years of conditional discharge after being found guilty of battering his ex-wife, while still facing federal drug trafficking charges tied to multiple Illinois cities.
Officer William Busse Sentenced After 2019 Domestic Case
William Busse, 41, of Homer Glen, was sentenced on June 16 in Will County Circuit Court following his conviction for domestic battery. Judge John Connor denied Busse’s motion for a new trial, formally concluding the yearslong case that began in 2019.
Conditional discharge under Illinois law means Busse is not required to serve probation but will be under court-imposed restrictions.
Gun Ownership in Jeopardy After Conviction
Due to the conviction, Busse may now be federally barred from possessing or transporting firearms or ammunition. This restriction stems from federal laws that apply to those convicted of domestic violence.
Facing Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
Separate from the domestic battery case, Busse is still under federal indictment for alleged drug trafficking activities. Prosecutors charged him on August 29, 2024, with distributing illegal substances in Lockport, Orland Park, and Chicago. He pleaded not guilty at a September arraignment at the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, as reported by Shaw Local News.
Delay and Controversy Surrounded Earlier Arrests
Busse’s legal troubles go back to 2019 when he was twice arrested for battering his ex-wife in New Lenox. Despite the charges, he remained on the police force until mid-2021. Retired Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner recommended his termination, but Busse stayed on payroll until he reached a settlement agreement to resign in June 2021.
That agreement included full payouts for vacation, sick leave, and compensatory time — totaling over $10,000.
Mixed Verdict in Court Cases
Out of two separate domestic battery cases filed against him, one was dismissed in May 2024 after key police witnesses were unavailable. However, the second case went to trial in March 2023, where a jury found Busse guilty of domestic battery but acquitted him of resisting arrest.
Court Took Ex-Wife’s Allegations Seriously
In 2022, Judge Brian Barrett issued a material witness bond to compel Busse’s ex-wife to appear in court. He reviewed three protective orders she had filed and stated, “I do not take that lightly,” emphasizing the gravity of her allegations.
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