Former Montgomery officer convicted of depriving civil rights, obstructing probe
Published 2026-09-24 · County Crime Watch
A federal jury in Montgomery, Ala., found former Montgomery Police Department officer Markelle Jaquan Cox guilty on Sept. 18, 2026, of depriving a woman of her civil rights and of obstructing an investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. The convictions stem from conduct during a shoplifting response in October 2023, when prosecutors say Cox used his position to commit s3xual abuse while the victim was restrained.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s announcement, court evidence showed that on Oct. 20, 2023, Cox handcuffed the woman, escorted her to his patrol vehicle, and engaged in unlawful and abusive s3xual contact, including touching under her clothing. Prosecutors say Cox used a translation app because the woman did not speak English, later added his number to her phone, and removed the handcuffs only after forcing her to touch him.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that body‑worn camera footage corroborated the victim’s account and that a search of both phones confirmed the added phone number and use of the translation app. The jury also found Cox guilty of providing false information to investigators, obstructing the probe; sentencing is scheduled for a later date, and he faces a statutory maximum of up to 20 years in federal prison.
The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Thomas Govan and was investigated by the Montgomery Police Department and the FBI, with prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice · Agency release: 2026-09-21. Original report by County Crime Watch.