John Kotchkoski

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Service Record

Columbus Ohio Division of Police

Main article: Columbus Ohio Division of Police
Rank Officer
Dates of Service June 9, 2011 - December 17, 2021.[1]
Salary $113,489 (2020)[2]
Last Known Status Resigned[3]

Incident Reports

2021 Drug Distribution

John Kotchkoski booking photo
John Kotchkoski

Between June and September 2021, Kotchkoski sold 40 kilograms of cocaine to a confidential informant and kept the money.[3]

Kotchkoski asked the informant to sell 10 kilograms of fentanyl, but they refused. Kotchkoski gave the drugs to Officer Marco Merino, who sold them to a different confidential informant who was actually an undercover FBI agent.[3]

Kotchkoski provided protection during Merino's transactions.[4]

Kotchkoski threatened to have Merino's wife and children killed if he spoke of their illegal activity.[5]

Response Timeline

On September 28, 2021, Kotchkoski was arrested and charged.[5]

Kotchkoski was placed on paid administrative leave.[4]

In 2021, Kotchkoski resigned.[6]

On April 1, 2022, Kotchkoski pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Kotchkoski faces 10 years to life in prison.[3]

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LEO Ratings

Training and Tactics rating: neutral
Protect & Serve rating: neutral
Individual Rights rating: neutral
Accountability and Integrity rating: bad
Off Duty rating: neutral
Ratings Definitions


References

  1. ↑ Officer Records, John Kotchkoski, Columbus Police Department, ID: 187820, Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy
  2. ↑ John Kotchkoski, City of Columbus, Police Officer Fop, govSalaries
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bethany Bruner, Former Columbus narcotics cop admits selling cocaine, fentanyl, will surrender over $500K, Columbus Dispatch, 2022-04-01
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bethany Bruner, How an FBI sting led to arrests of two Columbus cops for drug trafficking: a timeline, Columbus Dispatch, 2021-09-30
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Charges and Affidavit Against John J. Kotchkoski, Columbus Dispatch, 2021-09-29
  6. ↑ Bethany Bruner, Cops in cuffs: Here are central Ohio law enforcement officers charged with crimes in 2024, Columbus Dispatch, 2024-04-22

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