Columbus, Ohio – A former Columbus police officer, Joel M. Mefford, has been sentenced to 50 months in federal prison for his involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering. The 35-year-old officer from London, Ohio, who was assigned to investigate drug crimes, used his position to engage in illegal activities, including stealing and selling large quantities of cocaine.
Abuse of Power and Criminal Activity
Between February and April 2020, Mefford, along with another officer, carried out a series of illegal acts that undermined the integrity of law enforcement. According to court documents, the duo began their criminal activities in February 2020 by unlawfully entering a garage without a warrant during a drug investigation. They discovered two kilograms of cocaine in the rafters, seized one kilogram for personal gain, and left the other to be found during a subsequent legal search…