Detective pleads guilty to drug-trafficking charges

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

An Ohio police detective accused of drug trafficking and extortion has pleaded guilty.

Investigators alleged Matthew Dailey of Howard misused his job with Mount Vernon police to traffic in narcotics, extort people and use a firearm in drug-trafficking activities.

The 45-year-old Dailey pleaded guilty to extortion Friday in federal court in Columbus. He was a Mount Vernon officer for two decades. A sentencing date hasn’t been set.

Federal prosecutors said that beginning in September, Dailey split profits with a long-time informant he’d asked to sell drugs for him.

Prosecutors said Dailey frequently bought oxycodone from a second person for personal use. Defense attorney Sam Shamansky called the plea deal fair and blamed Dailey’s addiction as a major factor for his behavior.

Mount Vernon is about 40 miles northeast of Columbus.