Former East Cleveland Police Officers Get Prison Time for Robbing Unsuspecting Motorists During Traffic Stop in Ohio

Two ex-cops from East Cleveland, Ohio, found themselves sentenced to prison this week for swindling thousands of dollars from unsuspecting motorists during traffic stops, with one even issuing a ticket during the theft. 

Willie Sims, aged 32, and Alfonzo Cole, aged 35, made off with a total of $14,781, two firearms, and marijuana edibles from six victims between July 2020 and July 2021. 

Both admitted guilt to four counts of felony robbery and one count of felony theft in office. Cole faced additional charges for illegally possessing firearms, relating to gun thefts from two different drivers in 2021.

On Monday, Cole received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence, while Sims got a two-year sentence on Thursday. 

Their spree came to an end when they robbed a 21-year-old motorist of $4,000 on his way to pay for his mother's funeral services in July 2021. The victim promptly drove to the police station to file a complaint. Later that day, department supervisors pulled over Cole and discovered $1,200 and cannabis edibles. 

Another victim, Jonathan Whitlow, expressed doubts that the officers would have been investigated if not for that victim's action, revealing a pattern of misconduct in East Cleveland that persisted for over two decades.

Whitlow was robbed by Sims in November 2020 and again in July 2021, losing a total of $2,081. 

The first time, Sims pulled him over, citing various reasons for the stop before settling on a window tint violation. Whitlow didn't report the theft because he had marijuana in the car that the officer hadn't discovered. 

During the second incident, Whitlow testified that the officer stole four marijuana gummies, which he captured on video. Whitlow expressed reluctance to see Sims go to prison, citing concerns about his ability to repay while incarcerated.

Both officers were fined $40,000 and ordered to compensate their victims. Cole had to pay three victims he robbed on his own $4,580, while Sims owed $6,931 to his victims. 

It remains uncertain if this amount includes the fine for a traffic ticket Cole issued to one victim from whom he stole $850 and approximately $400 worth of marijuana in September 2021.

Sims expressed remorse to his friends and family in court but not to his victims. He allegedly told the probation department that he felt no remorse because he was taking money from drug dealers, a practice he claimed to have learned from older officers. 

Sims informed his first victim, a beverage distribution worker, that he "must have dropped" the $3,850 he had collected from clients on his route. He allegedly entered the worker's car when he noticed a gun on the seat and then pocketed the money.

In May of the previous year, Sims was pulled over in nearby Willoughby and cited for improper handling of a gun in his car. 

Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to another fifth-degree felony for the incident. The irony wasn't lost on the court as he, like Whitlow, was pulled over for a tinted window violation.

These arrests are part of a broader investigation into department corruption in East Cleveland, with more than a dozen former and current police officers facing charges. This includes former Police Chief Scott Gardner, who has denied charges of fraud, theft, money laundering, and tampering with records.

In another news, a close associate of Alex Murdaugh, a former attorney from South Carolina, found himself sentenced to 20 years in prison. See detailed story here

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