A former Columbus police officer pleaded guilty Tuesday in a case involving multiple officers and the sale of large quantities of cocaine stolen from suspects and a police evidence room.
Joel M. Mefford, 35, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Columbus to all charges against him: three counts of cocaine possession with the intent to distribute and one count of money laundering. Mefford, of London, was a member of the Columbus Division of Police since 2011 but resigned following his February arrest.
Mefford faces up to life in prison. U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus Jr. will sentence him at a later date.
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Three other Columbus ex-police officers have pleaded guilty
In connected cases, another former officer and two former detectives have previously pleaded guilty to cocaine and fentanyl trafficking charges.
Mefford was indicted in February at the same time as John Castillo, 31, of Grove City, a member of the Columbus police since 2019. Castillo pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. He faces at least 10 years in prison and up to life imprisonment when Sargus sentences him.