COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of two Columbus police officers accused of stealing and selling cocaine was sentenced to nearly four years in prison by a federal judge Wednesday, according to U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker.
According to court documents, 32-year-old John Castillo was previously assigned to investigate drug crimes.
In February 2021, Castillo conspired with another officer, identified as 35-year-old Joel Mefford, to steal and sell approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine.
The two officers took the cocaine from a house on North Everett Avenue on the east side of the city and did not turn it into evidence.
Records show the officers planted two additional kilograms of cocaine for law enforcement to discover later on.
The 10 kilograms were stored in another officer's basement before they were given to someone else to sell.
Castillo was arrested in February 2024. He pleaded guilty in June 2024 to possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Mefford pleaded guilty earlier this year to possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and money laundering. He has yet to be sentenced on those charges.
Castillo was sentenced to 46 months in prison on the one drug charge.