TOLEDO, Ohio — Jeremy Berndt, the Toledo police officer who was accused of buying marijuana while on duty, entered an Alford plea in Toledo Municipal Court Tuesday afternoon.
According to court records, Berndt entered the plea for an amended charge of attempt to commit an offence, which is a third-degree misdemeanor. Berndt was initially charged with dereliction of duty in January after he was seen on video buying marijuana on Dec. 3.
Authorities said the purchase occurred while Berndt was wearing his department-issued police uniform and firearm, and arrived and left in his department-issued and marked police vehicle.
Following the Alford plea, a judge found Berndt guilty. He is due back in court on June 25 for sentencing.
An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt. A defendant entering an Alford plea agrees to be found guilty without admitting they committed the crime. The defendant acknowledges there is enough evidence against them to be convicted. It is often entered to avoid a greater penalty and is treated as a guilty plea.
Toledo police told WTOL 11 Tuesday that Berndt remains employed by the department pending an internal investigation. However, he is currently not on payroll.
According to TPD, Berndt is a 21-year veteran of the department and was regularly assigned to field operations.
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