Former Columbus Officer Sentenced Amid Corruption Probe

Joel Mefford, a former Columbus police officer, has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for stealing and distributing cocaine, along with money laundering. Mefford pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute large quantities of cocaine, including a notable incident where he replaced 20 kilograms of cocaine in the police evidence room with fake cocaine. He personally profited approximately $130,000 from these illicit activities. Mefford's sentencing follows a broader investigation into corruption within the Columbus Police Department's Narcotics Unit that has already seen other officers, including John Castillo, sentenced for related crimes. Mefford's sentence includes credit for 11 months already served and four years of supervised release post-incarceration. This case highlights ongoing issues of misconduct and corruption within the department.