A former magistrate in Knox County has been sentenced to prison for illegally selling pain pills.
Jerry Cox, 71, of Flat Lick, admitted that he sold 38 hydrocodone pills and 10 oxycodone pills from his home and business in 2018, while he unsuccessfully ran for reelection as a Knox County magistrate.
Cox was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by six months of home incarceration. He had sought probation but U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom denied his request, saying that Cox had damaged his community by selling the pills and fueling addiction.
Cox was originally indicted on six counts of trafficking in a controlled substance and faced up to 20 years in prison.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@105.com
