CLEVELAND — The second former East Cleveland police officer who took part in a scheme to steal from residents during traffic stops and searches received a two-year prison sentence Thursday
Willie Sims, 32, officially received his punishment from Judge Michael J. Russo in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Sims previously pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and theft in office after he and his one-time partner, Alfonzo Cole, pilfered citizens of more than $14,000 while performing their law enforcement duties.
"[Sims' actions] are disgraceful and reprehensible conduct, particularly from a police officer," Russo said.
Per prosecutors, Sims and Cole would commit their crimes after pulling over unknowing drivers for routine traffic stops between July of 2020 and July of 2021. They would then search the vehicles and swipe cash as well as various guns and drugs, and during their final attempt they took more than $4,000 from a man who was on his way to pay for a funeral.
After that victim reported the incident, Sims and Cole were arrested and soon fired from the police force. Their case is just part of a massive corruption probe involving the East Cleveland department, which so far has seen more than a dozen current or former officers charged with various crimes. Most notable among the accused is ex-Police Chief Scott Gardner, who could potentially spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted of a slew of felonies involving alleged theft of thousands of dollars while in his position.
"Nobody was taking any action," robbery victim Jonathan Whitlow told Russo, adding he had attempted to tell members of the department what Sims and Cole were doing but was ignored. "This has been going on in East Cleveland for over 20 years."
Earlier this week, Cole was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for his crimes as well as unrelated weapons charges, and was also ordered to pay more than $40,000 in fines and restitution. Sims will have to pay upwards of $10,000, and officially received a one-year sentence for each of the first two theft charges with the rest of the charges (including theft in office) running concurrent.
“This sentence is a continuation of our efforts to eliminate corruption in the East Cleveland Police Department,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley in a statement. “We need to thank the FBI and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department for their work in bringing this case forward.”