Their arrests are connected to a wider investigation into the East Cleveland Police Department for corruption.

Two former East Cleveland, Ohio, police officers were sentenced this week for stealing thousands of dollars from people they pulled over during traffic stops.

A judge ordered Willie Sims, 32, to two years in prison Thursday. His partner, Alfonzo Cole, 35, was sentenced Monday to 2 1/2 years in prison and was fined $40,000, court records show.

In total, Sims and Cole stole $14,781 from six victims between July 2020 and July 2021 while on duty, prosecutors said. Cole also swiped two firearms from the victims, the Cuyahoga County Office of the Prosecutor said in a news release.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Russo told Sims that his actions have “disgraced” hard-working officers.

  • LanternEverywhere@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Committing a crime while you’re in a government-given position of power should be a mandatory minimum of whatever the median sentence is for that crime, plus a 20% addition.

    • Kbobabob@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It should definitely come with extra penalties if you’re the one that’s supposed to uphold the law.

      • itwasawednesday@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Yeah, I feel like all applications to be an officer of the law should come with the weight of “do I have the depth of character to fulfil this role” and the consequences of it clearly in front of them in making that decision.