Ex-Detroit court officer guilty of embezzlement

A former officer with Detroit's 36th District Court pleaded guilty Monday to embezzling judgment funds.

William Blake entered the plea to two counts of embezzlement by a public official-$50 or more during a hearing before Judge Vonda Evans of Wayne County Circuit Court, according to a news release from state Attorney General Bill Schuette.

“Mr. Blake broke the law for personal monetary benefit,” said Schuette. “His plea today means he will now be held accountable for his actions."

Blake, a former Detroit Police officer and Highland Park Police officer, will relinquish his MICOLES certification as part of his plea deal. His sentencing was set for Jan. 14, 2019.

Blake was a court employee and later an independent contractor when he pocketed $14,700 in judgment money paid to him in his capacity as a court officer from September 2013 to April 2014, according to Schuette's office.

In one case, Blake allegedly went to the East Lake Baptist Church in Detroit with his court-issued badge and gun and identified himself as a court officer. He demanded payment of $5,000 on an outstanding judgment. The pastor paid $1,000, which Blake allegedly pocketed.