Inmate who gave false tips in search for missing Cleveland teen Amanda Berry pleads guilty

CLEVELAND - The inmate whose tip led police to dig up a vacant lot in search for the remains of missing teen Amanda Berry pleaded guilty to more charges.

Robert Wolford, 25, was already in prison for murder when Cleveland police said he claimed to be a first-hand participant in Berry’s 2003 disappearance.  In July, the FBI and police began searching at West 30th Street and Wade Avenue in Cleveland for evidence in the case.

“Based on the information we have, this is pretty credible information. I think there’s a good likelihood we’re going to find something,” said then-Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason.

Wolford was even brought out to the scene to point investigators in the right direction. Using backhoes and cadaver dogs, authorities found no sign of the 16-year-old, who was walking home from her job at the Burger King on West 110th Street and Lorain Avenue.

Wolford pleaded guilty to obstruction, making false alarms and falsification for the bogus tip, Cuyahoga County court officials said.

He was sentenced to 54 months and six months to be served at the same time. Both of these sentences will be concurrent to the 26 years he received for the 2007 murder charge. Wolford was also fined $10,000.

Court documents obtained by NewsChannel5 showed Wolford had a history of trying to win an early release from prison. He wrote appeals and even won a new trial, but he later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He also argued that his IQ and psychiatric disorders prevented him from entering a plea.