A former Columbus police office will find out Thursday how many years he will have to spend in federal prison after admitting to holding two women against their will and obstructing a federal investigation.
Andrew Mitchell, 60, has been in custody since his arrest in 2019. In December, Mitchell entered guilty pleas in U.S. District Court to two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of obstruction of justice.
Mitchell had initially been accused of forcing two women to engage in sexual activity in exchange for Mitchell not arresting them. The plea deal did not include any charges involving sexual assault or kidnapping.
However, federal prosecutors say in their memo that Mitchell could have had no other motive besides wanting sex.
“More was going on that just Mitchell abusing the powers of his badge to only detain someone,” the memo says. “Mitchell took full advantage of the nature of the vice unit responsibilities to benefit his own selfish sexual vices.”
Part of the plea agreement was a jointly recommended sentencing range of between seven and 11 years in federal prison.