Former marshal pleads guilty to misconduct
The former marshal of a small, southwesternColorado town who resigned late last year pleaded guiltyThursday to official misconduct.
Court records show John L. Cox was also sentenced by a Montezuma County judge to six months of probation in the case.
Cox was the top law enforcement officer inMancos untilNovember, when he resigned following an arrest for driving under the influence. Days later, he was charged in a separate case with perjury, false reporting and a computer crime.
Prosecutors said Cox falsified a speeding ticket, used a computer system without authorization and abused his power as a law officer.
Coxwas investigated by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and officials say his alleged crimes while working as the Mancos marshal spannedAug. 1 toOctober.
Hewas charged with six counts in the case, including the official misconduct charge — a petty offense — that he admitted to.
William Furse, 22nd Ju- dicial District attorney, said Friday that as part of Cox’s plea, hewas ordered to pay $224 restitution to a woman who authorities say he falsely ticketed for speeding in a school zone. That fee represents the cost of her ticket.
Coxwas also ordered to write a letter of apology to the townof Mancos, Furse said.
Cox served as the town’s marshal for roughly two years. Heworked as an officer in Indiana before being appointed in Mancos.
The DUI arrest came Nov. 10 in La PlataCounty, six days after he was placed on leave from being town marshal. He pleaded guilty in the DUI case this month.
Cox resigned as marshal on Nov. 16.
Mancos is aMontezuma County town of about 1,400, northwest of Durango and near Four Corners. Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul