Officer(s) Involved: Former Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant James Darrell Hickox
Synopsis: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested two Florida law enforcement officers on charges of involvement with illegal drugs after both had worked together on a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) task force. In addition to Sergeant Hickox, former Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joshua Grady Earrey was also arrested.
An FBI affidavit says Hickox routinely sold drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, and a substance containing fentanyl. A confidential informant told the FBI that Hickox and others often stole money and drugs “off the top” from suspects, keeping the cash and selling the drugs. Large quantities of both drugs and cash were found at Hickox’s home, according to the affidavit.
Hickox, 37, is a 17-year veteran of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and was assigned to the DEA task force from 2014 to 2022. Hickox also admitted to stealing over $420,000 worth of drugs and replacing them with 3D-printed decoys.
Outcome: Hickox faced a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years for the drug distribution conspiracy, and a combined maximum penalty of over 50 years in a federal prison. On 3 February 2025, Hickox was sentenced to 17-and-a-half years in federal prison.
