Three Former East Cleveland Police Officers Sentenced to Prison for Their Criminal Involvement in Five Incidents from 2020 to 2023

Detective Ian McInnes

Incident #1

On February 25, 2020, East Cleveland police officers attempted to execute a traffic stop on the victim, 24, in East Cleveland. The pursuit ended near East 125^th Street and Tuscora Avenue. The victim fled on foot near Thornhill Avenue and Forbes Drive in Cleveland. The victim surrendered to the officers and complied with their commands. One officer tased the victim, and he fell to the ground. While the victim was on the ground, Detective Ian McInnes kicked the victim in the ribs.

Incident #2

On October 3, 2021, East Cleveland Police Officers Ian McInnes, Anthony Holmes, and Tristan Homan, 27, attempted to execute a traffic stop on the victim, 16, in East Cleveland. During the pursuit, Sergeant Holmes struck the victim’s vehicle. Sergeant Holmes then instructed Officer Homan to radio that the victim’s vehicle had struck their police vehicle. Officer Homan then radioed that the victim brake-checked them. The pursuit ended near East 105th Street and Superior Avenue in Cleveland. After the pursuit, the victim ran to the sidewalk, sat down, and placed his hands in the air. While Officer Homan and Officer Holmes were attempting to handcuff the victim as he was lying face down with his hands behind his back, Detective McInnes ran up to the victim and kicked him in the groin.

Incident #3

On February 14, 2022, East Cleveland Police Detective McInnes responded to a call involving the victim, 42, at a restaurant near Euclid Avenue and Forest Hills Boulevard in East Cleveland. Officer McInnes approached the victim, pointed his taser, and instructed him to get down on the ground. The victim complied with the officer’s commands and knelt on his knees, facing away from McInnes. While the victim was putting his hands behind his back, Detective McInnes kicked the victim in the back, causing him to fall face forward onto the ground.

On October 18, 2024, Ian McInnes was found guilty by a jury of the following charges:

• One count of Attempted Felonious Assault (F3)
• Three counts of Assault (M1)
• Three counts of Interfering With Civil Rights (M1)
• Three counts of Dereliction of Duty (M2)

He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and must permanently surrender his OPOTA license.

Sergeant Anthony Holmes

Incident #1

On October 3, 2021, East Cleveland Police Officers Ian McInnes, Anthony Holmes, and Tristan Homan, 27, attempted to execute a traffic stop on the victim, 16, in East Cleveland. During the pursuit, Sergeant Holmes struck the victim’s vehicle. Sergeant Holmes then instructed Officer Homan to radio that the victim’s vehicle had struck their police vehicle. Officer Homan then radioed that the victim brake-checked them. The pursuit ended near East 105th Street and Superior Avenue in Cleveland. After the pursuit, the victim ran to the sidewalk, sat down, and placed his hands in the air. While Officer Homan and Sergeant Holmes were attempting to handcuff the victim as he was lying face down with his hands behind his back, Detective McInnes ran up to the victim and kicked him in the groin.

On October 18, 2024, Anthony Holmes was found guilty by a jury of the following charges:

• One count of Tampering with Records (F3)
• One count of Telecommunications Fraud (F5)
• One count of Interfering With Civil Rights (M1)
• One count of Dereliction of Duty (M2)

Incident #2

On March 12, 2023, East Cleveland Police Commander Larry McDonald attempted to execute a traffic stop on the victim, 42, in East Cleveland. The pursuit ended when the victim crashed into a bus stop near Ivanhoe Road and St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland. Larry McDonald saw the crash and fled the scene. A Good Samaritan called the police, and the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) responded to the scene. Evidence revealed that McDonald did not report to dispatch that he was engaged in a pursuit or that the crash had happened. Additionally, Sergeant Anthony Holmes contacted McDonald and advised him of the incident. Sergeant Holmes knew that CDP had initiated an investigation and withheld knowledge of McDonald’s involvement in the pursuit.

On January 10, 2025, Anthony Holmes pleaded guilty to the following charge:

• One count of Attempted Telecommunications Fraud (M1)

He was sentenced to one year in prison and must permanently surrender his OPOTA license.

Commander Larry “Pac Man” McDonald

Incident #1

On March 25, 2022, East Cleveland Police Commander Larry McDonald, 47, attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a 20-year-old male in East Cleveland. The pursuit ended at J.D. Byrider near Euclid Avenue and Chardon Road in Euclid. Larry McDonald did not inform other responding officers or the Euclid Police Department of the pursuit. The 20-year-old male crashed into multiple vehicles and was pronounced deceased.

Incident #2

On March 12, 2023, East Cleveland Commander Larry McDonald attempted to execute a traffic stop on the victim, 42, in East Cleveland. The pursuit ended when the victim crashed into a bus stop near Ivanhoe Road and St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland. Larry McDonald saw the crash and fled the scene. A Good Samaritan called the police, and the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) responded to the scene. Evidence revealed that McDonald did not report to dispatch that he was engaged in a pursuit or that the crash had happened. Additionally, Sergeant Anthony Holmes contacted McDonald and advised him of the incident. Sergeant Holmes knew that CDP had initiated an investigation and withheld knowledge of McDonald’s involvement in the pursuit.

On January 23, 2025, Larry McDonald was found guilty by a jury of the following charges:

• One count of Tampering with Records (F3)
• One count of Tampering with Evidence (F3)
• One count of Telecommunications Fraud (F5)
• Three counts of Obstructing Official Business (M2)
• Two counts of Dereliction of Duty (M2)

He was sentenced to four years in prison and must permanently surrender his OPOTA license.