No death penalty sought in killing of former Dayton detective
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio isn’t pursuing the death penalty for a man accused of killing a former Dayton, Ohio, police detective, according to court documents filed on Friday.
Nathan Goddard Jr. is facing nine counts, including deliberately killing a U.S. officer; discharging a gun resulting in death in relation to a drug-trafficking crime; and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, marijuana and cocaine.
Jorge Delrio, a former police detective and Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer, was shot in 2019 while executing a search warrant on a residence at Ruskin Road in Dayton. He died from his injuries after spending three days on advanced life support.
DEA agents and Dayton police made entry into the residence, which authorities believed was being used by drug traffickers, after a knock at the door went unanswered, documents state. Delrio came under gunfire while descending a stairway to the basement and was struck.
During an interview with law enforcement following his arrest, Goddard stated he “heard a boom at the door of the residence” and grabbed his gun, according to an affidavit.
Goddard admitted to positioning himself against a wall and firing two to three shots at Delrio as he descended the stairs, documents say, adding Goddard believed the residence was being robbed.
Two other men, Cahke Cortner and Lionel Combs III, were indicted alongside Goddard for their involvement in Delrio’s death. Prosecutors filed documents last year saying they wouldn’t seek the death penalty for either of the two men.
Among the items confiscated by law enforcement were two FN5-7 pistols with extended magazines and laser sights, as well as an Ar-style weapon, the affidavit states.
On Wednesday, a Butler County man was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in illegally purchasing firearms connected to Delrio’s death.
Delrio served at the Dayton Police Department for 30 years. He was sworn into the Dayton department on March 9, 1989. On May 15, 2000, he became a DEA task force officer in the narcotics bureau.
A telephone conference involving Goddard, Cortner and Combs is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m.