ICYMI: Former Lakewood Employee Indicted For Gross Sexual Imposition, Kidnapping

LAKEWOOD, OH - A former City of Lakewood employee was indicted by a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury for kidnapping, gross sexual imposition, and one count of bribery on Tuesday. Jose Alvelo, 68, held several positions in Lakewood including part-time crossing guard, part-time security guard and community service supervisor.

It was during his tenure as a community service supervisor that at least one of the alleged incidents occurred, the city says. Alvelo allegedly committed misconduct with an adult female working while he was working as community service supervisor.

Alvelo allegedly made several sexual advances on the woman, including touching the woman without permission and making lewd propositions, Lakewood Police Captain Gary Sprague said. Sprague said the victim came forward with the allegations and the police department began to investigate the complaint immediately. He said the department began corroborating the allegations through interviews and security camera footage, when available. The full investigation took six weeks, he said. After the investigation was complete, the city turned everything over the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office.

Alvelo worked for Lakewood from 2010 to 2016, when he was placed on administrative leave. He was hired as a part-time crossing guard in August 2010 and was subsequently hired as a part-time security guard and community service supervisor in 2013.

The allegations against Alvelo were brought forth on Nov. 2 and Lakewood Law Director Kevin Butler said Alvelo was placed on administrative on November 3, 2016, when allegations began emerging. City officials conducted an investigation and placed Alvelo on unpaid administrative leave on November 11, 2016. He was fired February 28, 2017, the same day his indictment was handed down by the Grand Jury.

“Mr. Alvelo’s behavior is not representative of the city workforce into whom the citizens of Lakewood place their trust,” Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers said in an emailed statement. “We appreciate the diligent work of the Lakewood police and the county prosecutors in bringing the case to the grand jury and giving the victim an opportunity for justice.”

Alvelo’s arraignment is currently scheduled for March 14, 2017, in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor is handling the prosecution.

"We're pleased the victim came forward," Butler told Patch. "Now she has a chance to receive justice in court."

Both Alvelo and the victim are residents of Lakewood.

Photo from Shutterstock