Booking photo for Joshua G. Cox (Courtesy: Cache County Jail)
LOGAN — A 43-year-old Richmond man has been arrested and charged with shooting his step children with an airsoft gun. Joshua G. Cox was booked Monday into the Cache County Jail.
Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Doyle Peck said deputies were called to investigate Cox after agents with the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) filed a report, alleging he had physically abused several children. The kids were both younger in age.
“It was during that time that we found out that he had allegedly been striking the children with his fist,” explained Peck. “At one time he had used an airsoft BB gun to shoot them with, leaving welts on their heads. He was questioned and there was enough information gained from that interview that he was booked into jail.”
The children’s mother provided photographs to deputies, showing the boy with a welt on his chest and the girl with a welt on her forehead. She claimed the incident happened after the children had woken Cox up.
The mother also told deputies how Cox had recently thrown his boots at the children and punched them. She said that she had begun filing a protective order and wanted him to leave.
Deputies interviewed Cox. He admitted to shooting the children with the gun and spanking them when they were out of hand.
Cox was arraigned in 1st District Court Thursday afternoon, appearing by video from jail. He was charged with intentionally inflicting serious physical injury on a child, a second-degree felony; and child abuse, a class A misdemeanor.
Judge Brian Cannell set bond at $5,000. He ordered Cox to have no contact with the alleged victims and comply with DCFS, if he was able to post bail.
Cox is scheduled to appear again in court next Monday. He could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
will@cvradio.com