Former Phoenix DEA officer pleads guilty to embezzlement of more than $75,000

Former Phoenix DEA officer pleads guilty to embezzlement of tens of thousands of dollars from the reserve intended to cover operational expenses in the field.

After more than 15 years as a mission support specialist for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Scott Knox now faces nearly the same prison sentence.

DOJ investigators allege that as part of his work managing cash reserves used for field operations, Knox had access to the vault where they were stored. And although he took steps to cover up his theft, an internal audit earlier this year revealed the theft of approximately $75,000.

A judge is scheduled to sentence the 47-year-old Avondale man in January.