By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Three former East Cleveland police officers accused of stealing money from suspected drug dealers, often while conducting illegal searches, were charged in federal court Thursday.
Charged were Torris Moore, Antonio Malone and Eric Jones.
“The three officers charged today—unlike the overwhelming majority of police officers—did not protect and serve, but rather pillaged and plundered,” Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, said in an FBI press release. “They viewed the drug trade as an opportunity to enrich themselves, and lied to the court, their fellow officers and the citizens of East Cleveland to pull off their criminal conspiracy.”
Moore was a sergeant supervising the Street Crimes Unit, where Malone and Jones were detectives.
They also are accused of fabricating reports.
“These three officers acted like cunning criminals rather than honorable public servants that are sworn to protect and serve,” said Stephen D. Anthony, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office. “They will be held accountable for their reprehensible conduct.”
