By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MONTGOMERY — A former Montgomery police officer has been convicted of unlawful sexual contact with a handcuffed woman and obstructing the investigation.
A federal jury found Markelle Jaquan Cox, 32, guilty Sept. 18 of four counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and three counts of obstruction of justice, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama.
The incident occurred Oct. 20, 2023, after Cox responded to a shoplifting report at a department store on Eastern Boulevard. Trial evidence showed that Cox handcuffed the woman and escorted her to his patrol vehicle. While she was restrained, he touched intimate areas of her body, including beneath her clothing. After removing the handcuffs, Cox forced her to touch him.
Because the woman did not speak English, prosecutors said Cox used a translation application to solicit sex. He then directed her to unlock her phone so he could add his number before allowing her to leave.
The woman called 911 and went directly to Montgomery Police Department headquarters to report what happened. MPD immediately opened an investigation. Cox denied the accusations, but body-camera footage corroborated the woman’s account. Searches of both phones also confirmed use of the translation application and the addition of Cox’s number.
Jurors concluded that Cox used his police authority to facilitate the abuse and later supplied false information to investigators. The Police Department and FBI investigated the case, which prosecutors handled.
Cox faces up to 20 years in prison. His sentencing hearing was not scheduled as of the Justice Department’s Sept. 21 announcement. A federal judge will determine the punishment after reviewing federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.