Former DEA Agent and Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Drug Dealing

For approximately five years, U.S. Drug Enforcement officer and Nassau County Sheriff’s deputy James Darrell Hickox used his position with law enforcement to moonlight as a drug dealer. He even went so far as to steal cocaine from an evidence locker and replace it with a 3D printed brick, in an attempt to make it appear as though the brick was the real thing. His various schemes ultimately came to an end, and he has now been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Hickox’s Crimes

Hickox was arrested in 2023 and pleaded guilty to charges of stealing drugs and money, transferring drugs to dealers for sale on the street, and tax evasion. During his time as a DEA agent and sheriff’s deputy, he made over $420,000 as a drug dealer, and the IRS was left to pick up the pieces. Hickox’s crimes were not sophisticated, and he often worked with other law enforcement officers to set up drug busts and conduct traffic stops of known drug dealers.

The Schemes

One of Hickox’s most brazen schemes involved stealing over 1,000 pounds of weed from an evidence locker and claiming to have burned it. He then sold the stolen weed on the street. In another instance, he stole a kilogram of cocaine from an evidence locker and replaced it with a 3D printed brick, sprinkling the fake brick with real cocaine in an attempt to make it appear as though it was the real thing.

The Raid

When the police figured out what was going on and raided Hickox’s house, they found a treasure trove of illicit goods. His garage, which he had marked as "Gator’s Man Cave," was filled with four weapons pulled from evidence lockers and marked for destruction, as well as an illegally modified machine gun. Inside the garage, police found 260 pills containing methamphetamine and 263 grams of a powdery mix of cocaine and fentanyl.

Motivations and Sentencing

Hickox claimed that his scheme was motivated by a desire to provide for his family after he died, citing a cancer diagnosis as the reason for his actions. However, Judge Wendy Berger was skeptical of this explanation, stating that it was difficult to understand how a cancer diagnosis would lead an individual to engage in such illicit activities. Hickox was ultimately sentenced to 17 years in prison for his crimes.

Hickox’s Family Speaks Out

Hickox’s parents spoke to a local TV station, claiming that the DEA had turned their son into a drug dealer. "They have to live two lives," his father said. "You’re out slingin’ dope for the DEA and then you go home and be a family man." Hickox’s mother added that she believed her son would not have become a drug dealer if he hadn’t been working for the DEA for 10 years.

Conclusion

James Darrell Hickox’s case serves as a reminder of the dangers of corruption within law enforcement agencies. His actions were not only illegal, but also a betrayal of the public’s trust. As he begins his 17-year prison sentence, it is clear that Hickox’s actions will have far-reaching consequences for himself and those around him.