August 24, 2021 – Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Sean M. Cox of the FBI Springfield Division will retire effective September 2021. SAC Cox has served the FBI for more than 22 years working in the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Springfield Field Offices as well as FBI Headquarters (FBIHQ) in Washington, DC.
SAC Cox has led the Springfield Division since July of 2014 overseeing and leading the division through several high-profile investigations and operations. By way of example, during his tenure in Springfield Mr. Cox oversaw the first-of-its-kind federal investigation in the Central District of Illinois resulting in the arrest and conviction of Brendt Christensen who abducted and murdered a visiting Chinese scholar in 2017. Other cases of note include the arrest of a mathematics professor and researcher at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale on charges of receiving support from an arm of the Chinese government while applying for U.S. grants; the arrest of four individuals who formed a militia group intent on using violence to promote their ideology; and the dismantling of a massive dog fighting ring in the Quad Cities area resulting in the seizure of 64 dogs and multiple arrests. Under the leadership of SAC Cox, the Springfield Division made over 300 arrests of perpetrators of crimes against children.
“SAC Sean Cox has dedicated his career with the FBI to protecting us all and is a true public servant,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Douglas J. Quivey. “His leadership of the Springfield Field Office set the standard and he acted as a mentor to many. His retirement is much deserved, and he will be missed.”
SAC Cox served as the On-Scene Commander during times of crisis, including a protracted fugitive manhunt alongside his counterparts from the Illinois State Police for Dracy “Clint” Pendleton after the suspect wounded an Illinois police officer in a shootout, utilizing FBI national level assets including the Hostage Rescue Team and SWAT from several field offices; a work-place active-shooter event in the Bunn Springfield distribution facility; through civil unrest and rioting in 2020; during numerous high-risk operations involving the use of SWAT; during an unprecedented government-wide shutdown when employees stopped taking home pay; and throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic, all while maintaining morale and a 100% readiness posture to serve the American people and the constituents of the 84 counties in Illinois for which the Springfield Division and SAC Cox were responsible.
Details regarding a permanent replacement for the position of special agent in charge will be forthcoming.
