'I F**ked Up': Former Aurora Police Officer Josiah Coe Accused Of Meth Distribution
UPDATE: 'Never Had A Cop Do That With Me Before'; Woman Tells CBS4 Aurora Officer Josiah Coe Gave Her Meth
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Josiah Seth Coe, an Aurora police officer, has resigned from the department and is facing a felony charge of distributing a controlled substance. Coe resigned from the Aurora Police Department after allegedly admitting to an Aurora police sergeant that he gave illicit narcotics to another person.
In early March, a citizen notified Aurora police that Coe, 32, had allegedly supplied her with a controlled substance while he was working security in uniform at an off-duty assignment. According to the affidavit for probable cause for an arrest warrant for Coe, issued on May 3, he is accused of "distributing methamphetamine illegally while working in the capacity of a police officer."
The court documents state that there is video evidence corroborating the accusations that stem from an incident on March 4 at the Medical Center of Aurora. Coe is accused of giving about $20 worth of meth and a meth pipe to a woman who was leaving the medical center after seeking treatment for alcohol withdrawal.
In the affidavit, investigators said that they observed video that showed a security guard turning over a package containing methamphetamine, a pipe, torch and razors to Coe. Those items had been taken off another individual before being turned over to Coe. The procedure is to have the officer draw up a case number for the illegal items, put them in property and turn them over to the narcotics unit for follow-up. On the video, investigators saw Coe take the items, place them in a blue surgical glove and put them in his cargo pocket.
Investigators said that on a different camera, he saw Coe and the woman walk outside and with Coe's back to the camera, "as if shielding what he was doing" handed something to the woman before she got into the cab.
According to court documents, the woman told police that Coe handed her the meth and pipe wrapped in a bandana as she got into a cab to leave the medical center and Coe said that "It'll help you out" and that "You owe me, but it ain't nothing bad."
Investigators said that Coe had been seen on video with the woman before this incident, smoking cigarettes with another person, a nurse. The woman also provided investigators with Coe's business card and said that she knew him and had met him "seven or eight times, every time he would offer her a cigarette" and she said "they would talk about everything."
Aurora Police Cheif Vanessa Wilson tweeted a statement regarding the investigation into Coe, "I want to assure the public that we will not tolerate anyone who dishonors the badge we wear. I want to thank the person who came forward for having the bravery to report this misconduct."
Lt. Chris Amsler with the Aurora Police Department told CBS4 an internal affairs investigation was launched and since the complaint involved alleged criminal conduct, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation was asked to conduct an independent criminal investigation.
During the probe, Coe resigned from the police department on April 22. According to the affidavit, the day before he resigned, Coe told an Aurora police sergeant that "I f**ked up" and that "I gave somebody dope."
According to court documents, Coe never booked any suspected methamphetamine or glass pipe into evidence on March 4.
Court records show an arrest warrant was issued for Coe Monday, May 3, for distribution of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct. He was released on Wednesday on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. He is due back in court next month.
Reached by CBS4 Tuesday night, Coe said "I really can't comment on that. I've been advised not to make any statements at all."
Coe referred further questions to an attorney.
