“Officer (James) Covell not only betrayed the trust of the community he swore to protect — he broke the law and will be held accountable.”
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has announced that East Cleveland police officer James Covell has been indicted on 10 counts by a grand jury, including felony charges of tampering with records and tampering with evidence.
In addition, Christopher Cotton, a former East Cleveland dispatcher, was indicted on a charge of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.
Prosecutors say the charges against the 48-year-old Covell stem from two alleged incidents that happened in May 2024. Here is the full list:
- One count of tampering with records (F3)
- One count of tampering with evidence (F3)
- One count of telecommunications fraud (F5)
- One count of obstructing justice (F5)
- One count of falsification (M1)
- One count of insurance fraud (M1)
- Two counts of obstructing official business (M2)
- Two counts of dereliction of duty (M2)
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the public and to hold a position of trust,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley in a statement. “Officer Covell not only betrayed the trust of the community he swore to protect — he broke the law and will be held accountable.”
Arraignment for Covell and Cotton is scheduled for March 14.
CASE DETAILS
According to prosecutors, on May 9, 2024, Covell attempted to make a traffic stop on a Hyundai, which later fled into the city of Cleveland while he was still in pursuit.
“The Hyundai came to a stop and two females inside the Hyundai exited the Hyundai and were apprehended. The Hyundai, now driven by a 25-year-old male, continued to flee and came to a stop near Parkhill Avenue and East 130th Street in Cleveland. Officer Covell did not stop his police cruiser and rear-ended the Hyundai,” prosecutors noted in their release.
Investigators say after the Hyundai was hit, “it accelerated around Covell’s cruiser and continued to flee. The 25-year-old man was later apprehended.
The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) responded to the scene.
“Officer Covell told CDP officers on scene that the Hyundai rammed his police cruiser before fleeing. Officer Covell then proceeded to tell this version of events to East Cleveland Police Department (ECPD) supervisors. The version he told both police departments were false,” the prosecutor’s office stated. “Afterward, Officer Covell filed a workers’ compensation insurance claim stating the Hyundai accelerated in reverse and rammed his police cruiser causing him injury.”
The second incident involving Covell took place on May 24, 2024 at around 2 a.m. as he responded to the scene of a crash near Euclid Avenue and Doan Avenue.
Investigators say Cotton was intoxicated while driving his car in a crash with an RTA bus.
“Before the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) police arrived to the scene to investigate, Officer Covell removed an AR-15 style pistol from Cotton’s vehicle. When GCRTA arrived at the scene, they were not informed about the firearm. After police learned about the firearm in Cotton’s vehicle, Covell turned it over to police,” prosecutors stated.
Court records show the 20-year-old Cotton was sentenced to nine months in prison in Dec. 2024 after pleading guilty to vehicular assault, driving while under in the influence, and vandalism.
