CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Former Columbus vice detective Andrew K. Mitchell, 59, pleaded guilty in federal court today to two counts of depriving individuals of their civil rights and one count of obstructing justice.
Mitchell, who served with the Columbus Division of Police from 1988 to 2019, held a position in the vice unit from 2017 to 2019, focusing on law enforcement actions related to solicitation offenses. The plea agreement recommends a sentence of seven to 11 years in prison.
Court documents reveal that Mitchell, while in plain clothes and driving an unmarked black sedan in July 2017, picked up a sex worker in the Hilltop near Sullivant and Whitethorne avenues. Identifying himself as a police officer, he purportedly conducted a warrant check and then handcuffed the victim to the doorknob of his vehicle. Subsequently, he drove her to a nearby parking lot, forcibly held and detained her against her will before dropping her off at her boyfriend’s residence.
In a similar incident in September 2017, Mitchell, again in plain clothes and driving a dark SUV, picked up a second sex worker in the Hilltop. After discussing rates for sexual activity, he revealed his identity as a vice unit officer, stating she was going to jail. Mitchell kidnapped the victim and transported her to Lindbergh Park, holding her against her will.
The plea agreement also acknowledges Mitchell’s admission to obstructing justice. Specifically, during the federal investigation into his civil rights crimes, he directed individuals to dispose of evidence, including photos, clothing, bedding, and rental records, at one of his rental properties on Denune Ave. Bleach was extensively used in the apartment to clean a bed, couch, ottoman, and floor.
Mitchell was federally charged and arrested in March 2019. The Court will determine sentencing based on advisory guidelines and statutory factors.