On October 27, the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office announced that Chester Cox, a former Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District teacher, pleaded guilty to 15 child sex crimes.
The attorney’s press release reveals Cox was charged with “Sexual Conduct with a minor under the age of fifteen, Child Molestation, multiple counts of Sexual Exploitation of a minor under age fifteen, and multiple counts of Surreptitious Photographing or Videotaping.”
Cox was taken into custody earlier this year after the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that he had set up cameras in his classroom and the bathroom used by students. Detectives found several images and videos of children changing clothes on Cox’s electronic devices. Authorities believe Cox had been secretly taping the victims for several months without their knowledge.
Cox, who taught at Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary, had also been under investigation for sexual misconduct and child molestation involving an 11-year-old boy.
The victim’s mother told authorities that her son had been molested by Cox between 2014 and 2020 when he worked as a youth coach. Investigators say these alleged crimes were not reported to have happened on school grounds.
Cox’s plea agreement stipulates that he will spend 50 years in prison without the possibility for parole. If he survives the prison stay, he will have to register as a sex offender upon release and remain on probation for the rest of his natural life.
In his public statement, Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane encouraged Arizonans to call and write to their legislators, requesting state laws be amended to allow for the death penalty for child molesters.
“Mr. Cox’s crimes are shocking and despicable. All too frequently, we hear about teachers and other trusted members of society harming children for their selfish sexual desires. Arizona law does not currently allow for the death penalty in such cases, and it is time for that to change.” - Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane
Cox’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 23.