TOLEDO, Ohio — A veteran Toledo Police officer accused of buying marijuana while on duty has entered a plea deal, avoiding a trial originally scheduled for early June.
Jeremy Berndt, who has served with the Toledo Police Department for 21 years, entered an Alford plea on Tuesday to a charge of attempted dereliction of duty, a third-degree misdemeanor. Under the terms of the plea, Berndt maintains his innocence but acknowledges that the prosecution’s case was strong enough to likely result in a conviction if the matter went to trial.
Prosecutors allege that Berndt was caught on video purchasing marijuana on December 3, 2024, from Maximum Performance Cycles on Laskey Road — a business that is not a state-licensed marijuana dispensary. According to the affidavit, Berndt made the purchase while wearing his police uniform and carrying his service firearm. He arrived and departed the location in a marked Toledo Police vehicle.
Berndt’s attorney, Jon Richardson, explained that the Alford plea was a strategic decision. “Officer Berndt maintains his innocence but acknowledges that had we gone to trial the likelihood is strong that he would have been convicted,” Richardson said.
The Toledo Police Department has confirmed that Berndt is currently off the payroll following what was described as a “self removal” from the force. An internal affairs investigation into the matter remains ongoing.
If convicted, Berndt faces up to 60 days in jail. His sentencing is set for June 25.
This case was first reported by the 13 Action News I-TEAM in January.