Former Columbus police officer pleads guilty to stealing cocaine from crime scenes, police evidence room
A former Columbus police officer pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to crimes involving more than 10 kilograms of cocaine and money laundering.
Joel M. Mefford, 35, of London, Ohio, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, one count of possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and one count of money laundering.
According to court documents, Mefford was a Columbus police officer assigned to investigate drug crimes. On three occasions between February and April 2020, Mefford allegedly worked with another officer to steal and traffic cocaine.
In February 2020, Mefford and the other officer were investigating a drug crime and allegedly unlawfully gained access to a detached garage belonging to the subject of the investigation. Without a warrant, they allegedly entered the garage and discovered two kilograms of cocaine in the rafters. They allegedly unlawfully seized one of the kilograms and left the other to be found during the execution of a search warrant the next morning. The other officer allegedly gave the stolen narcotics to another individual to sell.
Similarly, in February and March 2020, Mefford and the other officer were investigating drug-trafficking activity at houses on Ambleside Drive and Kilbourne Avenue in Columbus. On March 7, 2020, the officers allegedly took a bag containing multiple kilograms of cocaine from the house on Ambleside Drive and arrested an individual there. They then allegedly traveled to the house on Kilbourne Avenue and removed a kilogram of cocaine. That same day, Mefford turned in one kilogram of cocaine to evidence, and the officers allegedly stole the other kilograms to be sold.
In April 2020, Mefford and the other officer allegedly stole between 10 and 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room and replaced it with fake cocaine. Mefford allegedly transported the stolen cocaine in a police cruiser and the other officer later gave the drugs to another individual to sell. The drug proceeds were then allegedly given to the other officer, who provided Mefford his cut. Mefford allegedly personally received a total of approximately $130,000 from cocaine sales.
Mefford allegedly deposited more than $72,000 of the cash derived from the cocaine sales into his personal bank account.
Possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine is punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine carries a potential penalty of five to 40 years in prison. Money laundering is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the plea entered Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr.
Assistant United States Attorneys Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Elizabeth A. Geraghty are representing the United States in this case.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes special agents and officers from the FBI, Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office and the Columbus Division of Police.
Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.