A wicked dentist has been handed a staggering 180-year prison sentence after being convicted of raping, sodomising, and abusing staff and patients at his dental practice – some even during their treatment.
Joseph Clarence Cox, 44, was given this severe punishment for his shocking crimes by a judge, following his conviction by a local jury in January on charges including rape, sodomy and sexual abuse involving his former employees and patients.
Deputy District Attorney of Etowah County, Carol Griffith, revealed that Cox was arrested in April 2021 following a thorough investigation by the Gadsden Police Department in Alabama. The trial uncovered a high staff turnover rate from June 2020 to April 2021, attributed to Cox’s inappropriate sexual behaviour with employees.
Eight former employees gave evidence about repeated instances of sexual abuse by Cox during regular office hours. Two of these employees told the jury that the incidents went beyond mere touching, involving cases of forcible rape and sodomy.
Three former patients also testified that Cox subjected them to sexual contact while he was carrying out their dental procedures. They shared their experiences before the jury.
Cox was found guilty by a jury of two counts of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sodomy, and eight counts of first-degree sexual abuse after a week-long trial, as reported by ABC.
Cox had previously admitted to three counts of Harassment in Dekalb County in 2012, following similar allegations.
These transgressions resulted in a probation sentence and a six-month suspension of his dental licence.
During the sentencing, Circuit Judge George Day lambasted Cox for treating his workplace as his personal playground and showing utter disregard for any woman who entered his office.
For each count of First Degree Rape and Sodomy, Cox was handed a 25-year prison term.
Additionally, he was given a ten-year state prison sentence for each charge of First Degree Sexual Abuse.
Judge Day decreed that these sentences should be served consecutively, not concurrently, stating that concurrent sentences would not deliver justice for the victims. Consequently, the cumulative sentences amount to a staggering total of 180 years in prison.
