Former Wayne County Deputy Michael Cox sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison for drug trafficking

RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) – A federal judge sentenced former Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Kenneth Cox to 74 months in prison for his role in drug trafficking and mail and wire fraud.

During Operation Polar Bear, which began in 2020, federal investigators were able to prove that Cox, 49, was buying and selling drugs with dealers for personal gain.

“By championing just cases like this one that shine a light on dark spots and root out corruption in our ranks, we send a message to the public that we stand with them,” said Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “And the other men and women in law enforcement who help us build these cases stand with us, too.”

Cox was employed by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office from 1996 until his retirement as head of the narcotics unit in 2018. On March 24, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession of quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone and marijuana with the intent to distribute. Cox also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.

According to the 50-page indictment, prosecutors alleged that Cox exploited his relationships with drug dealers to make even more money by designating the dealers as confidential informants. In at least one interaction, members of the Goldsboro Police Department viewed one of the dealers as “untouchable” because of his relationship with Cox and the perception of how much information he allegedly divulged.

In addition, investigators said Cox used his position as a police officer to win bids that supported his side business, Eastern Emergency Equipment. Cox's side business installed equipment on police vehicles. His criminal conduct in that activity was consistent with the wire and mail fraud charges.

“There were elements that suggested the verdicts had been completely turned on their head,” Easley said. “It's not always a grand conspiracy, it's not always something that was enabled at the highest level. It can simply be a bad official making bad decisions, and we see that. It's a reminder of how important it is that we act quickly when we get a hint that someone might be going astray. Every now and then the devil gets one of us.”

The prosecution also used an exchange of text messages to prove how close the relationship was between Cox and the drug dealer.

“My buddy for life. (Expletive) who don't like that,” said drug dealer No. 2, according to the indictment.

“You know I've got your back no matter what. There aren't many people in life you can trust. But you're my brother,” Cox replied.

According to Easley, such conversations showed how deeply Cox was involved in drug activities.

“He must have just enjoyed being part of the gang. And he was so caught up in his relationships with the dealers that he couldn't tell the difference between up and down,” Easley said. “You can see the man's state of mind at that moment and the way he was thinking and talking about his work.”

Cox declined to comment through his attorney.