On January 27, 2025, a former DEA Task Force Officer (TFO) was sentenced to 210 months of active imprisonment, ten years of supervised release, and was ordered to forfeit $42,168, which were proceeds from the sale of narcotics. James Hickox was sentenced in the Middle District of Florida. Hickox pleaded guilty in May 2024 to conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax evasion, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to the factual statement in support of the guilty plea, in the course of his duties as a DEA TFO and Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Sergeant, Hickox stole narcotics, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl seized as part of DEA investigations, then falsely represented to the DEA and NCSO that the narcotics had been destroyed by preparing and submitting forged certificates of destruction to the agencies. The stolen narcotics were provided to other individuals to sell on Hickox’s behalf for his personal gain. Hickox also stole U.S. currency and firearms seized from DEA investigations. The investigation was conducted jointly with the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service with assistance from the OIG’s Miami Office.
Date Issued
Case Action
Sentencing