Court Affirmed Sentences for Dayton Officers Killer
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the life sentences for Nathan Goddard and Cahke Cortner.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Drug Crime
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the murder convictions and life sentences of Dayton men Nathan Goddard and Cahke Cortner. Both were sentenced for their roles in the 2019 death of Detective Jorge DelRio during a drug seizure.
Why it matters
The court rejected claims of evidentiary errors and improper jury instructions, finding that Goddard acted with premeditation. Judges held that the intentional killing of the officer was foreseeable to Cortner.
Goddard and Cortner, both 46, received sentences of life plus 10 years and life plus five years respectively. These sentences were upheld after the court rejected arguments regarding insufficient evidence and sentencing unreasonableness.
The players
Nathan Goddard
He is a Dayton man who was convicted of murdering Detective Jorge DelRio.
Cahke Cortner
He is a Dayton man convicted in the same case for his role in the incident that resulted in a detective's death.
Jorge DelRio
He was a detective who died in the line of duty during a 2019 federal drug seizure operation in Dayton.
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
This is a federal appellate court that hears appeals from cases within the Southern District of Ohio.
The details
The incident occurred in November 2019 when Nathan Goddard shot and killed Detective Jorge DelRio during a federal drug operation involving a $500,000 fentanyl seizure. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the defendants' appeals, which had cited alleged trial errors.
Timeline
Detective Jorge DelRio was killed in 2019.
The fatal shooting occurred in November 2019.
A jury convicted Nathan Goddard of murder in March 2024.
Goddard and Cortner received their sentences in September 2024.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions on October 8, 2026.
Legal Context
The appellate ruling follows the established legal proceedings initiated after the death of Detective Jorge DelRio. It affirms the judicial standards applied to cases involving officers killed during federal drug enforcement operations.
The final affirmation of these sentences provides legal closure for the local Dayton community and the department. The case serves as a reminder of the heightened risks associated with local federal drug seizure operations.
The takeaway
The court's decision underscores the legal consequences for those involved in violence against law enforcement. This ruling finalizes the lengthy judicial process following the 2019 incident.
Further reading
For additional context on regional law enforcement issues, visit the Dayton drug-crime section.
