West Valley man pleads guilty to embezzlement from Phoenix DEA office

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

A 47-year-old Avondale man has pleaded guilty to embezzlement by a U.S. employee, federal officials said.

In September 2023, after 16 years working for the Drug Enforcement administration, Scott P. Knox embezzled more than $75,000 from a DEA safe deposit box to which he had access and control through his job as a mission support specialist and accounts technician for the DEA. Phoenix, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

His responsibilities included maintaining the DEA Imrest Fund, a cash reserve designated to manage recurring DEA expenses, including operational funds used by agents in the field, the statement said. He confessed to stealing the safe room.”

According to the statement, Knox attempted to hide his actions from the DEA, but the embezzlement was revealed during an internal audit the DEA conducted in March 2024.

Conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, and three years of supervised release.

Knox will be sentenced on January 6 by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan.

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