Aug. 14—ANDERSON — An Anderson man who previously served a prison sentence for murder was given a five-year sentence on two felony charges.
Michael Cox, 66, 1000 block of East 53rd Street, was sentenced Wednesday by Madison Circuit Court Division 3 Judge Andrew Hopper to a total of five years.
Prosecutors requested a five-year prison sentence based on Cox’s criminal history, saying he violated a position of trust and there were multiple victims.
Defense attorney Bryan Williams recommended a 30-month sentence suspended to probation.
Half of the sentence will be served on a continuum of sanctions, with the remainder on probation.
The continuum of sanctions could include jail time, work release, in-home detention or probation.
Judge Hopper said any violation of the terms could result to the total five years being revoked to a prison sentence.
Cox pleaded guilty to charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and dissemination of material harmful to a minor and a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The guilty plea came after the Madison County Prosecutor’s office dismissed the most serious child molesting charges.
The state on July 3 dismissed charges of two counts of sexual trafficking, sexual misconduct with a minor, child solicitation and dissemination of material harmful to a minor.
Williams said that Cox entered the pleas of guilty admitting to providing marijuana to two boys, ages 17, and 15, and showing the older boy pornographic images on his cellphone.
Williams said when he took depositions, the statements were not consistent with their original statements.
Last year Cox entered into a plea agreement with the Madison County Prosecutor’s office, which was later withdrawn.
According to the redacted affidavit, it was reported to police that two boys had been sexually assaulted by Cox at his home and at Mick’s Barber Shop, which he owns, at 2226 Main St.
The boys reported Cox paid them in cash, alcohol and marijuana in exchange for various sex acts. One of the boys alleged Cox bribed him with alcohol and marijuana for taking as many as six trips to Michigan with him.
The Herald Bulletin does not identify victims of sex crimes or those close to them.
Cox was convicted in 1983 along with John Drake in the 1977 death of Anderson widow Ruth Heaton.
The Indiana Supreme Court affirmed Cox’s conviction in 1986.
He was originally sentenced to life in prison, but that was later modified to a 40-year sentence. Cox was released from prison after serving 17 years and then spent seven years on probation.
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