Former Columbus drug crimes investigator sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to sell fentanyl, cocaine

A former law enforcement officer is now feeling the enforcement of the laws himself, as an ex-Columbus cop was recently sentenced to federal prison time.

According to a press release from the United States Attorneys Office Southern District of Ohio, John J. Kotchkoski, 36, of Marengo, was sentenced to 65 months (nearly five and a half years) behind bars for conspiracy to traffic cocaine and fentanyl. 

Kotchkoski, who pleaded guilty in April of 2022, conspired with a fellow police officer to traffic more than 8 kilograms of fentanyl and 40 kilograms of cocaine. His co-conspirator, Marco R. Merino, was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2023. At the time of the crimes, he was assigned to investigate drug crimes.

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“Failing to uphold his oath to serve the residents of this great community, Kotchkoski forever stained his badge, not the badge of all the incredible men and women of the Columbus Division of Police.  He should be held accountable for his misdeeds,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker in a press release. “This sentence of more than five years in prison for conspiring to distribute this poison in our community should send a message to every member of law enforcement that any such failure to uphold our oath to the community will not be tolerated.”

Following his conviction, Kotchkoski will be forced to forfeit a Cadillac Escalade, a Chevrolet Corvette, more than 20 firearms and a money judgment of $500,000.

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