John Castillo, Cocaine Trafficking, Ohio 2024

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Ex-Columbus Cop Sentenced to 46 Months for Cocaine Trafficking

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a shocking turn of events, John Castillo, a 32-year-old former Columbus police officer, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

According to court documents, Castillo conspired with another officer to steal and sell approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine in February 2021. The duo took the cocaine from a house on North Everett Avenue and planted two additional kilograms of cocaine for law enforcement to discover later that day.

The 10 kilograms of cocaine were stored in the other officer’s basement before they were given to another individual to sell. Castillo’s actions not only compromised the integrity of the Columbus police force but also put the lives of innocent people at risk.

Castillo was arrested in February 2024 and pleaded guilty in June 2024. His sentencing serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, and those who abuse their power will face the full consequences of their actions.

U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr. handed down the sentence, which is a significant blow to Castillo’s freedom. 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.

The sentence imposed on Castillo is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement officials who worked to bring him to justice. As a former police officer, Castillo’s actions are particularly egregious, and his sentence serves as a warning to others who may be tempted to engage in similar behavior.

Assistant United States Attorneys Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Elizabeth A. Geraghty represented the United States in this case, while Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence.