Joel M. Mefford, 35, of London, Ohio, is the second former Columbus officer to be sentenced to prison for conspiring to steal and sell drugs.

A former Columbus police officer who pleaded guilty to charges of stealing and selling cocaine was sentenced in federal court Wednesday. Joel Mefford, 35, of London, pleaded guilty to four drug-related charges,

Joel Mefford, 35, pleaded guilty last year to possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and money laundering. He will receive a time credit of 11 months for time served in prison before the sentencing.

Joel Mefford, 35, a former Columbus narcotics officer, will be sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Columbus. He faces up to life in prison.