MADISON COUNTY, Ohio — Two Columbus police officers, John Castillo, 31, of Grove City, and Joel M. Mefford, 34, of London, Ohio, were arrested today on federal charges related to the alleged theft of multiple kilograms of cocaine and subsequent distribution.
The arrests were made, and the cases were unsealed during an afternoon federal court appearance. Mefford, facing charges of unlawfully seizing and distributing cocaine, is accused of discovering two kilograms in a detached garage without a warrant during a February 2020 drug crime investigation. The indictment claims he gave the stolen narcotics to an individual for sale.
Additionally, Mefford is alleged to have seized and kept cocaine from two separate investigations in February and March 2020, replacing evidence with fake cocaine. In April 2020, he supposedly stole 20 kilograms from the Columbus police property room, substituting it with counterfeit substances.
Mefford faces charges of money laundering and possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He is accused of depositing over $72,000 in cash derived from cocaine sales into his personal bank account.
Castillo, indicted separately, is accused of taking approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine in February 2021 from a North Everett Avenue residence, failing to submit it as evidence. He allegedly planted two additional kilograms for later law enforcement discovery and stored the 10 kilograms in another person’s basement before facilitating its sale.
Both officers are charged with possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, a federal crime carrying a penalty of at least 10 years to life in prison. Mefford faces additional charges of money laundering and two counts of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.