COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A former Columbus police officer is facing up to 10 years in prison after changing his plea on drug charges in federal court Wednesday morning.

John Castillo, 31, of Grove City, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with attempt to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

The case against Castillo stems from a February arrest that included accusations of stealing drugs from evidence rooms and investigation scenes, as well as passing off narcotics to another person to be sold.

According to the indictment, Castillo, who originally pleaded not guilty, took approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine from a home on North Everett Avenue in east Columbus during an investigation but did not enter the drugs as evidence. He then planted two of the kilograms at the Broadleigh neighborhood home and took the rest to be sold by another person.

Joel Mefford, a co-conspirator and former police officer, pleaded not guilty to his charges in February and is still expected to go to trial. He is facing an additional charge of money laundering along with two counts of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Castillo joined the department in June 2019 and also gained high marks in performance reviews. He was a member of the department’s drug cartel unit as of June 2021.

Brian Steel, President of the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City Lodge No. 9, said Castillo is no longer a member of the local police union.

“John Castillo’s crimes are a black eye to the central Ohio law enforcement community and do not represent the values of the (FOP),” he said.

A sentencing hearing for Castillo will be scheduled at a later date.