Columbus officers accused of stealing and selling ‘kilograms’ of cocaine

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Two Columbus police officers are facing federal charges for allegedly stealing and selling multiple kilograms of cocaine, including from one of the division’s evidence storage rooms, and collecting at least $70,000 for themselves.

Joel Mefford, 34, of London and John Castillo, 31, of Grove City were arrested and appeared in court on Thursday, according to Kenneth Parker, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. Indictments against the two include accusations of stealing from evidence rooms and investigation scenes, as well as passing off the narcotics to another individual to be sold.

CPD Chief Elaine Bryant released a statement after the charges were announced. She said that the charges come from an investigation that has lasted years.

“This long-term investigation stems from 2020,” Bryant said. “We have been working in full
collaboration with federal investigators, and will continue to do so as this case moves
forward.”

Mefford is accused of stealing 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room in April 2020, replacing it with fake narcotics. He also is alleged to have deposited more than $72,000 in cash from the cocaine sales into his personal bank account.

Mefford’s indictment, from February 2020, also claimed that he gained unlawful access to a detached garage during an investigation. Without a warrant, Mefford allegedly discovered two kilograms of cocaine in the rafters of the garage, according to Parker. The indictment said he unlawfully took one of the kilograms and left the other to be found during a search warrant the next morning. The defendant gave the stolen cocaine to another individual to be sold.

In February and March 2020, when investigating drug-trafficking activity, Mefford is similarly accused of taking a bag containing multiple kilograms of cocaine from a house, before travelling to another house and removing a kilogram of cocaine. He was at the houses on investigations of drug-trafficking activity.

An indictment against Castillo alleges that in February 2021, he took around 10 kilograms of cocaine from a home during an investigation and did not turn it into evidence. He allegedly planted two kilograms at the house to be discovered by law enforcement, but stored the leftover cocaine in another person’s basement to be sold by another individual.

Both defendants are charged in separate indictments with possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Mefford is additionally charged with money laundering and two counts of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Mayor Andrew Ginther called the officers alleged actions selfish in a statement.

“I am disgusted,” Ginther said. “We have made great strides in rebuilding trust between police and the community, and we will not allow the actions of a few to deter our progress. CPD is fully cooperating, and the officers will be held accountable.”

Five CPD officers were arrested from 2023 to 2024, but these indictments mark the first federal charges against Columbus police officers in that time.

In March 2023, three CPD officers were relieved of duty after each being arrested within four days of one another on unrelated OVI incidents. Sgt. Melvin Romans, one of the three officers, pleaded guilty in April 2023. A fourth Columbus police officer — Trier Knieper — was arrested just two months earlier, January 2023, on three charges including one for operating a vehicle impaired, but had all but a speeding charge dropped.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.