Monster dentist sodomised staff and raped patients during treatment | US | News

An abusive dentist has been jailed for a staggering 180 years after being found guilty of raping, sexually assaulting and abusing staff and patients at his dental practice, some even during their treatment.

Joseph Clarence Cox, 44, was given the harsh sentence by a judge for his shocking crimes after he was convicted by a local jury in January on charges including rape, sodomy and sexual abuse involving former employees and patients.

Etowah County Deputy District Attorney Carol Griffith announced that Cox was arrested in April 2021 following an extensive investigation by the Gadsden Police Department in Alabama. The trial found high staff turnover from June 2020 to April 2021, which was attributed to Cox’s inappropriate sexual behavior with employees.

Eight former employees testified about repeated incidents of sexual abuse during Cox’s regular work hours. Two of those employees told the jury that the incidents went beyond just touching and included cases of forcible rape and sodomy.

All three former patients testified that Cox subjected them to sexual intercourse while performing dental procedures. They shared their experiences in front of the jury.

Cox was found guilty by a jury of two counts of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sodomy and eight counts of first-degree sexual abuse after a week-long trial, ABC reported.

Cox previously pleaded guilty to three counts of harassment in Dekalb County in 2012 following similar allegations.

These violations led to probation and a six-month suspension of his dental license.

During sentencing, Circuit Judge George Day scolded Cox for treating his workplace like his personal playground and being completely dismissive of every woman who entered his office.

Cox was sentenced to 25 years in prison for each count of First Degree Rape and Sodomy.

He was also sentenced to ten years in state prison for each of the First Degree Sexual Abuse charges.

Judge Day stated that concurrent sentences would not provide justice for the victims and ruled that these sentences should be served consecutively, rather than simultaneously. As a result, the total sentences add up to a staggering 180 years in prison.