FBI taking over probe of Columbus vice unit

Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs has formally transferred the investigation into the police vice unit to the FBI, the division announced Thursday.

Jacobs formally requested the help of the FBI’s public corruption task force as evidence has developed during an internal investigation of the unit.

All normal operations of the vice unit had been suspended in early September for a 28-day review spurred by two high-profile incidents. The arrest of adult film actress Stormy Daniels in July by undercover vice officers and the August shooting of 23-year-old Donna Castleberry by undercover vice Officer Andrew Mitchell have drawn a spotlight on the 20-member unit.

Mitchell, a 30-year veteran of the division, was relieved of duty Wednesday night, police confirmed. He had been the subject of a potentially criminal complaint that had been filed about a week before the shooting occurred.

No other vice officers have been put on leave or relieved of duty as of Thursday, spokeswoman Denise Alex-Bouzounis said.

At the time of the shooting, Mitchell had not been made aware of the complaint because it was potentially criminal in nature and was being investigated as similar crimes would, with the potential offender not being made aware until a later investigative stage.

Mitchell will continue to be paid, Alex-Bouzounis said. He was relieved of duty because of the complaint and not the shooting, which remains under investigation, she said.

Mitchell and the other approximately 19 officers and supervisors in the vice unit will continue to have their operations suspended while the task force investigates and evaluates evidence.

Jacobs asked the task force, which consists of investigators from the FBI, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Ohio Auditor of State, to transfer the investigation because of the information developed during the review.

A news release said “a variety” of allegations have been made about officers in the vice unit through social media postings and other sources.

Police said they will not release additional details about the allegations because of the ongoing criminal investigations.

Keith Ferrell, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge, said he did not have additional information about the transfer of the review.

Ferrell said there are many good officers in the vice unit who work to provide resources in battling the opioid crisis and assist victims of human trafficking.

Anyone with information about potential criminal activity involving vice officers can call a dedicated FBI tip line at 614-849-1777.

The public will be informed before the vice unit resumes operation.

Anyone with allegations of misconduct not related to the vice section should contact the Columbus Police Internal Affairs Bureau at 614-645-4745.