A former Florida police officer has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing drugs, cash, and firearms from federal investigations. Prosecutors revealed that the officer, James Hickox, even swapped a kilogram of DEA-seized cocaine with a fake brick made using a 3D printer to conceal his crimes.
DEA Corruption Scandal Leads to Harshest Sentence Yet
Hickox, a sergeant with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, received his sentence on Monday in a Jacksonville federal court. His punishment is the most severe handed down so far in a growing corruption scandal involving over 20 DEA agents and task force officers charged in recent years for crimes ranging from perjury and assault to drug trafficking and money laundering.
Hickox was arrested in 2023 along with Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joshua Earrey. Both officers had been assigned to a DEA-led task force in Jacksonville, but instead of enforcing the law, they exploited their positions for personal gain.
A Web of Drug Theft and Corruption
According to his plea agreement, Hickox admitted to stealing and selling marijuana, cocaine, and other drugs seized during DEA operations. He falsely claimed the stolen drugs had been destroyed, allowing him to pocket more than $420,000 from drug sales.
One of the most shocking revelations in the case was Hickox’s admission that he swapped a kilo of real cocaine with a fake, 3D-printed version sprinkled with real cocaine residue to make it look authentic. He then handed the real drugs over to a Jacksonville trafficker, who sold them for approximately $20,000—half of which went into Hickox’s pocket.
In another instance, Hickox confessed to supplying an informant with 550 pounds (250 kilograms) of marijuana, receiving $200 to $400 for every pound sold.
Fake Traffic Stops and Evidence Tampering
Hickox’s corruption extended beyond theft. He and his co-conspirator, Trooper Earrey, staged a fake traffic stop to seize what they believed was 13 pounds (6 kilograms) of fentanyl being transported from another state.
Authorities searching Hickox’s home later found cocaine, methamphetamine pills, and fentanyl-laced powder, along with firearms previously seized in law enforcement operations. These items were stored in a converted garage labeled “Gator’s Man Cave.”
To cover his tracks, Hickox routinely broke into DEA evidence bags, stealing thousands of dollars in cash. He then resealed the evidence bags or repackaged the stolen money into heat-sealed bags with forged signatures.
FBI Condemns Betrayal of Public Trust
FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Kristin Rehler condemned Hickox’s actions, emphasizing that law enforcement officers must uphold the law, not exploit it.
“Law enforcement officers who operate as though they are above the law betray the badge and the citizens they swore to protect,” Rehler said in a statement.
Hickox’s attorneys did not respond to requests for comment.
Co-Conspirator Awaiting Sentencing
While Hickox has now been sentenced, his co-defendant, Trooper Joshua Earrey, is set to face sentencing in April. Authorities have not ruled out further arrests as the investigation into DEA task force corruption continues.