COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former Columbus police officer pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, according to United States Attorney Kenneth Parker.
John Castillo was one of two former officers charged in the case. Joel Mefford was federally indicted for possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, money laundering and two counts of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Court documents say Castillo was assigned to investigate drug crimes when he was with the Columbus Division of Police.
According to Parker, Catillo conspired with another officer to steal and sell approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine in February 2021. He and the other officer took 10 kilograms of cocaine from a house on North Everett Avenue and did not turn it in for evidence.
Court documents say Castillo and the other officer planted two additional kilograms of cocaine for law enforcement discovery later that day at the house. The 10 kilograms of cocaine were stored in the other officer’s basement before they were given to another individual to sell.
Castillo initially pleaded not guilty to the charge but changed it as part of a plea agreement.
Possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine is punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. A sentencing date for Castillo has not been announced.
Mefford is accused of stealing multiple kilograms of cocaine on different occasions in 2020 and giving the drugs to other people for them to sell.
In one particular case, Mefford allegedly stole 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room and replaced it with fake cocaine.
Court documents say Mefford deposited more than $72,000 in cash from the cocaine sales into his personal bank account.
Mefford pleaded not guilty to his charges. His trial is set to start on Sept. 9.