Former Lake County correctional officer faces custodial sexual misconduct charges

A former Lake County sheriff's correctional officer faces sexual misconduct charges after a nearly nine-month investigation, authorities said.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office of Professional Standards started an investigation in December 2020 after learning Elizabeth Blomstrand, 40, of the 100 block of Knob Hill Lane in Gurnee, possibly had been involved in rule or policy violations.

At that time, another correctional officer who went to relieve Blomstrand for the evening found an inmate out of his jail cell, well after all inmates should have been in their cells sleeping.

Sheriff John Idleburg authorized a formal internal investigation and Blomstrand was placed on administrative leave. She resigned on Dec. 29, 2020.

Investigators found evidence Blomstrand had engaged in sex with an inmate at least two times in December 2020, police said.

Blomstrand is charged with two felony counts of custodial sexual misconduct and two felony counts of official misconduct.

A Lake County judge set Blomstrand's bail at $50,000. Blomstrand is being held at the McHenry County jail due to her previous employment in Lake County.