Three former East Cleveland police officers were charged in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy in which they kept thousands of dollars from alleged drug dealers, much of which was seized through illegal searches and fabricated reports.
Torris Moore, 42, of South Euclid, was a sergeant at the East Cleveland Police Department, where he supervised the Street Crimes Unit. Moore was arrested today following the unsealing of a five-count federal indictment, which charged him with one count each of conspiracy against rights, Hobbs Act conspiracy, and false statements to law enforcement, and two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Moore’s co-defendants, Antonio Malone and Eric Jones, were charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy in a criminal information filed in U.S. District Court.
The indictment alleges that between 2012 and June 2014, the defendants conspired to unlawfully enter premises and exceed the scope of lawful entry, conducting unlawful searches and seizures. They used their power to seize money and property for themselves under the guise of legitimate search warrants and created and approved false reports, affidavits, and other documents to conceal their illegal searches and seizures.
The conspirators placed false and inaccurate information in police reports, which Moore reviewed, knew was incorrect, but failed to correct the inaccuracies. This false information was used to obtain search warrants.
The conspirators seized money and property during these searches and diverted some of the seized money and property for their own use. Malone provided false information to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office about certain investigative techniques in order to conceal their illegal conduct, including attributing information to a confidential informant that did not exist.
Torris Moore, a sergeant at the East Cleveland Police Department, is charged with one count each of conspiracy against rights, Hobbs Act conspiracy, and false statements to law enforcement, and two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Antonio Malone and Eric Jones, detectives assigned to the Street Crimes Unit, are charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy.
Moore, Malone, and Jones are scheduled to appear in court on [date] for their arraignment.
Torris Moore, Antonio Malone, and Eric Jones face serious penalties if convicted. The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Related Federal Cases
- Maceo Moore, Heroin Distribution Conspiracy, Ohio 2013 · Virginia
- Steven Al-Jay Hinds, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin, Ohio 2023 · Washington
- Nicholas Moore, Burglary, Ohio 2023 · Texas
- William D. Montague, Conspiracy, Fraud, Money Laundering, Bribery, Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, Ohio 2010 · Virginia
- Miguel Castro, Conspiracy to Harbor Undocumented Aliens, Ohio 2023 · Kentucky
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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