A former Albany County Sheriff’s Office employee pleaded guilty to stealing $122,251.25 from his former employer.

John T. Cox, 61, from Schenectady, admitted issuing 16 fraudulent checks drawn on funds from the sheriff’s office. This happened between June 2017 and February 2023.

Cox used the checks to pay himself directly or to pay down debt he owed. He also tried to cover up the fraud by falsifying records.

Cox faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on May 9. He also must pay back restitution.