Two Dayton men have been handed life sentences for their roles in a drug operation that resulted in the 2019 death of Dayton Police Detective and DEA Task Force Officer Jorge DelRio, according to a recent statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio. Nathan Goddard, 44, received a life sentence plus an additional ten years, while co-defendant Cahke Cortner, also 44, received a life sentence plus five years.
During the execution of a federal search warrant in November 2019, officers announced themselves as they entered the residence. However, as Det. DelRio descended a staircase to the basement, where he was fatally shot. The incident unfolded at approximately 6:50 pm at 1454 Ruskin Road in Dayton. Court documents and trial testimony revealed that from 2018 up until the time of the murder, Goddard and Cortner had been embroiled in a narcotics conspiracy involving substantial quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana, in addition to illegal weapons acquisition. The DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker both honored DelRio's sacrifice in the line of duty, with Milgram stating, "DEA is as committed as ever to continuing this fight against violent drug traffickers." according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
Goddard was convicted of the murder charge after a jury trial in March, and Cortner was also found guilty of various narcotics and firearms charges. The court heard about their possession of firearms, some fitted with laser sights and others capable of penetrating body armor, which they used to protect their illegal drug operation. Alongside the weaponry, officials seized significant amounts of drugs and cash from the residence.
"Today’s sentences mean these two defendants will never walk free or hurt an innocent person again," said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal expressed satisfaction with the verdicts, emphasizing the sense of closure for DelRio's family, the department, and the community. DEA Detroit Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene and FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola echoed the sentiments by highlighting the relentless pursuit of justice and the continued commemoration of DelRio's service and sacrifice.
The combined law enforcement efforts that brought the case to a close also included the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office and agencies like the FBI and ATF, with Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division, sharing the hope that the sentencing offers some closure to the DelRio family and demonstrates the persistent nature of law enforcement in achieving justice. U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman concluded the case due to the collaborative work among multiple agencies, including substantial support from the Criminal Interdiction Team of Central Oklahoma (CITCO).
