Former Columbus police officer sentenced in fentanyl trafficking case

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Over two and a half years after a former Columbus police officer pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges, he was sentenced in federal court.

In April 2022, John J. Kotchkoski, 33, of Marengo, Ohio, entered a guilty plea on charges that he conspired with another former officer, Mark R. Merino, to traffic a total of eight kilograms of fentanyl at least three times during the summer of 2021.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, Kotchkoski received approximately $32,500 for the drugs.

As part of the plea agreement, Kotchkoski, who was assigned to investigate drug crimes for the Columbus Division of Police, forfeited cash, firearms, two vehicles — a Cadillac Escalade and a Corvette — and a $500,000 money judgment against him. The possessions he forfeited account for the proceeds he obtained through drug trafficking, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Court records indicate Kotchkoski aided Merino in protecting at least five separate transports of cocaine, transports that were set up by federal law enforcement officials. During the transports, Kotchkoski made himself available by radio to make any calls that Merino might need, including to other law enforcement officials, to protect the safe transports of the cocaine.

Kotchkoski faced up to 10 years to life in prison for his crimes, which included possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, according to the release.

On Tuesday, Kotchkoski was sentenced to 65 months in prison – or nearly 5 and a half years – plus five years post supervision release.

“Certainly, these acts were dangerous, reckless and could have and may have resulted in harm to the community," Kotchkoski's attorney Sam Shamansky said. "And again, all factored into the sentence. But remember, we've now closed, as a result of John's assistance, loopholes that allowed this to happen.”

Merino was sentenced to nine years in prison in February 2023.

Kotchkoski and Merino, according to personnel and court files, were disciplined in the past, including for Kotchkoski’s alleged assault of a man who was unconscious during the 2015 Dublin Irish Festival. They were both terminated from the CPD in September 2021 after their arrests.