CLEVELAND, OH – East Cleveland Police Officers Alfonzo Cole, 35, and Willie Sims, 32, were sentenced to a combined 4.5 years in prison for stealing from multiple individuals while on duty. The sentence was announced by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley.
The officers were involved in multiple incidents between July 2020 and July 2021, where they removed money and other items from individuals during traffic stops and other interactions.
A total of $14,781 was stolen, along with two firearms.
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at Cole’s residence and recovered stolen items. The investigation also revealed that Cole forged a sergeant’s signature on a traffic citation.
Prosecutor O’Malley thanked the FBI and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department for their roles in the investigation. He stated that the sentence is a continuation of efforts to eliminate corruption in the East Cleveland Police Department.