Roger B. Handberg, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
A former deputy sheriff and DEA Task Force officer, James Darrell Hickox, has been sentenced to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger for offenses including conspiring to distribute narcotics, defrauding the United States, and tax evasion. Hickox, who pleaded guilty on May 15, 2024, was also ordered to forfeit or abandon money, firearms, and ammunition related to these crimes.
Court documents revealed that while serving as a deputy with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office and as a DEA Task Force Officer, Hickox engaged in corrupt activities between 2017 and 2023. These included stealing money and drugs seized during investigations and distributing illegal substances like fentanyl and cocaine through others. Additionally, he concealed over $420,000 from the IRS earned from these activities. Hickox's criminal actions involved the theft of more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana from evidence, which was then sold by others under his direction.
A search of Hickox's residence in March 2023 uncovered fentanyl powder and cocaine intended for distribution. Agents also found a rifle modified to function as a machinegun along with other unlawfully possessed firearms. Furthermore, over $195,000 in cash linked to his illegal operations was discovered.
FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Kristin Rehler remarked on the case: "Law enforcement officers who operate as though they are above the law betray the badge and the citizens they swore to protect." Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper expressed disappointment: “He betrayed the oath he took to become a police officer... His poor judgment and criminal behavior should not reflect negatively on all the good men and women at NCSO.”
Ron Loecker of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office commented on Hickox's betrayal of trust: "We will continue to investigate allegations of public corruption."
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation with cooperation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
