Former Detroit Police Department Officer Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes

DETROIT - A former Detroit Police Department officer pleaded guilty today in federal court in Detroit to accepting bribes, Acting United States Attorney Saima S. Mohsin announced.

Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Pleading guilty before U.S. District Court Judge George Caram Steeh was Alonzo Jones, 55, of Detroit, Michigan.

According to the court documents, from in or about July 2019, and continuing through in or about May 2021, Alonzo Jones corruptly accepted approximately $3,200 in bribes with the intent to be influenced and rewarded in connection with his duties overseeing and running the Detroit Police Vehicle Auction.

Jones faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.  Sentencing has been set for March 15, 2022.

“Investigating and prosecuting bad cops is a top priority for our office because bad cops erode the public’s trust in law enforcement,” said Acting US Attorney Mohsin.  “The vast majority of police officers are honest, dedicated, and hard-working individuals.  But police officers who line their pockets with bribes, no matter how big or small will be held accountable for their actions.  Today’s plea highlights our office’s commitment to prosecuting those small minority of bad cops who put their own greed before their duties as police officers.”

“A law enforcement officer accepting bribes undermines the rule of law and will always be vigorously investigated. Today, Mr. Jones pled guilty to conduct that is not representative of the men and women of the Detroit Police Department who serve with honor day in and day out,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “Thank you to Chief James White whose cooperation during this investigation made it possible to hold Jones accountable for his actions.”

This is the fourth individual charged as part of the government’s investigation known as “Operation Northern Hook.” Northern Hook is an investigation of corruption within the government and the Police Department of the City of Detroit relating to the towing industry and other matters.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Lee Carlson.