CLEVELAND — A former East Cleveland police officer who was fired after allegedly stealing from several residents while on duty is facing more legal troubles.
A Cuyahoga County grand jury last month indicted 35-year-old Alfonzo Cole on charges of having weapons under disability and carrying a concealed weapon back in May, in this case a Glock 9mm pistol. As Cole is already facing trial for the theft accusations, he is not legally allowed to own or possess a gun.
Cole and his one-time partner, Willie Sims, are currently accused of stealing more than $14,000 as well as drugs and firearms during various traffic stops, searches, and other operations between July of 2020 and July of 2021. Both have since been fired from the police force, part of an ongoing saga that has seen more than a dozen current or former East Cleveland officers (including ex-Police Chief Scott Gardner) arrested for a slew of possible crimes.
Both Cole and Sims have pleaded not guilty in the robbery case and are currently free after posting respective bonds. The are currently scheduled to go on trial beginning Aug. 9, and each faces multiple decades in prison, if convicted.
As for the weapons charges, Cole was arraigned Thursday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and again pleaded not guilty. He was released from custody after again posting 10% of a $5,000 bond.