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Former magistrate sentenced for selling pain pills

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BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A former Kentucky magistrate who illegally sold pain pills during his unsuccessful reelection campaign has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Former Knox County magistrate Jerry "Rabbit" Cox, 71, had sought probation in the case, but the Lexington Herald-Leader reported Tuesday that U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom denied the request.

Boom said Cox had damaged his community by selling the pills and fueling addiction.

“That’s just a plague to our communities,” Boom said.

Cox was indicted on six counts of selling drugs in 2018, but pleaded guilty in October to illegally distributing hydrocodone or oxycodone on two occasions.

His attorney, David S. Hoskins, said Cox has helped people in his community and has been active in church.

Boom said she sentenced Cox to less than the minimum outlined under the sentencing guidelines. He must serve 6 months of home confinement after being released from prison.