COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former Columbus police officer, Marco R. Merino, was sentenced to 108 months in prison by a federal court on Thursday. Merino, 45, of Columbus, was charged with conspiring to distribute more than eight kilograms of fentanyl and accepting bribes in exchange for protecting the transportation of cocaine. He was arrested by federal agents in September 2021 and later pleaded guilty in February 2022.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker commented on the case saying, “This office will hold lawbreakers accountable, no matter their profession.” Merino was found to have conspired with another former Columbus police officer, John J. Kotchkoski, between June and September 2021 to traffic fentanyl. Merino distributed the drug on at least three occasions and accepted $32,500 in exchange for one of the kilograms.
Furthermore, Merino was found to have accepted $45,000 in cash between March and September 2021 to protect the transportation of at least 47 kilograms of cocaine. He was also in possession of a firearm in furtherance of this crime. The transactions were actually controlled by federal law enforcement and there was no actual cocaine involved.
According to court documents, Merino attempted to recruit a confidential informant to participate in drug trafficking with him. He promised law enforcement protection to the individual and claimed that he could intervene if any other law enforcement agencies attempted to investigate. John J. Kotchkoski awaits sentencing.