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Former Columbus Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Theft and Money Laundering
A former Columbus police officer, Joel M. Mefford, 35, of London, Ohio, has pleaded guilty in federal court to crimes involving more than 10 kilograms of cocaine and money laundering.
Mefford, who was assigned to investigate drug crimes, worked with another officer to steal and traffic cocaine on three occasions between February and April 2020.
According to court documents, Mefford and the other officer stole cocaine from a detached garage belonging to the subject of an investigation, as well as from houses on Ambleside Drive and Kilbourne Avenue in Columbus.
On March 7, 2020, the officers took a bag containing multiple kilograms of cocaine from the house on Ambleside Drive, arrested an individual, and then removed a kilogram of cocaine from the house on Kilbourne Avenue. Mefford turned in one kilogram of cocaine to evidence and the officers stole the other kilograms to be sold.
In April 2020, Mefford and the other officer stole between 10 and 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room, replacing it with fake cocaine. Mefford personally received a total of approximately $130,000 from cocaine sales.
Possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine is punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Mefford’s sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker and FBI Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola announced the plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr.
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.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Elizabeth A. Geraghty are representing the United States in this case.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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