CLEVELAND — A former member of the Cleveland Division of Police was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday for charges relating to the assault of a 48-year-old woman last year.
The sentencing for 61-year-old Kevin Stanard came after he pleaded guilty last month to charges of attempted felonious assault, strangulation, and possession of a firearm in a liquor-permit premises. In addition, he is ordered to pay the victim a restitution of just over $2,500. 3News is not naming the victim.
The incident involving Stenard and the female victim happened on May 5, 2023 while Stanard was working his second job as a security guard near Payne Avenue and East 22nd Street in Cleveland. According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, the victim --whom Stanard was in a relationship with -- met up with him and the two traveled to the Veterans of Foreign Wars bar in Euclid. Prosecutors add that Stanard "had his firearm on the premises."
Around an hour later, investigators say the pair traveled back to the area of Stanard’s secondary place of employment in Cleveland. While in the parking lot, Stanard apparently struck the victim multiple times and strangled her, causing hearing problems, significant rib pain, and blood in her urine. After the assault, Stanard left the parking lot. The victim went to the hospital the next day where she was treated for her injuries.
On August 18, Stanard was indicted on charges of felonious assault, aggravated robbery, two counts of strangulation, using weapons while intoxicated, and possession of a firearm in a liquor-permit premises.
As part of the plea agreement with prosecutors, the aggravated robbery charge and the strangulation charge with the highest degree of felony were dropped, along with the using weapons while intoxicated charge. The charge of felonious assault was amended to attempted felonious assault.
On Aug. 28, the Cleveland Division of Police announced that Stanard was "relieved from duty and will remain suspended without pay pending the adjudication of the criminal charges." Police officials told 3News on Wednesday that Stanard had retired from the division.
“Mr. Stanard not only acted in a way that is unbecoming for a law enforcement officer, he perpetuated a violent act on a woman causing her long-lasting injuries and that is unacceptable,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley in a statement. “Our office takes intimate partner violence seriously and those who inflict it will be held accountable.”