Virginia transgender sex offender case heads to grand jury after alleged exposure in female locker rooms
A 58-year-old man who identifies as a woman is charged with indecent exposure and related offenses tied to female facilities in Arlington and Fairfax counties
A transgender registered sex offender is accused of exposing his genitals to multiple women and children in Virginia public female locker rooms. Richard Cox, 58, who identifies as a woman but is still physically male, was back in court Thursday for a lengthy preliminary hearing, according to 7News. Cox was arrested in December for allegedly spying on women while naked in the female changing rooms at Arlington's premium aquatic center, which shares facilities with Washington-Liberty High School. He faces multiple charges, including indecent exposure, sex offender loitering near schools, and indecent liberties with children.
During the hearing, Cox stated that he is a woman and urged the judge to instruction the prosecutor 'to stop misgendering him,' but the judge declined.
A dozen witnesses testified against the predator, with accounts ranging from a shower stall with the curtain open to mothers with young daughters who saw him naked in the public female locker rooms after swim class. One witness said she and her five-year-old daughter observed Cox standing naked and touching himself in a shower area. Arlington detectives also testified that they found child pornography, along with children’s gymnastics and swim schedules, on Cox’s phone. The prosecutor told the court that 'these facts speak clearly to Cox’s motive for visiting those facilities,' according to 7News.
Cox is listed as a Tier III sex offender, which courts consider a high risk of re-offending and a significant threat to the public. His case is scheduled to go before a grand jury next week. Investigations indicate a disturbing pattern extending back to September 2024, with detectives linking Cox to similar incidents at Washington-Liberty High School in October and at Wakefield High School in October and November.
County Police Chief Kevin Davis defended the department’s decision not to file prior charges against Cox, citing Fairfax County’s gender identity policy, 7News reported. The chief added that the predator is not allowed to visit Fairfax County recreation centers in the future. Arlington County allows people to use locker rooms and bathrooms based on their chosen gender identity.
The case feeds into a broader national and international debate over transgender access to sex-segregated facilities and the safety concerns of communities. Authorities emphasize the importance of coordinating responses across jurisdictions while adhering to policies intended to protect the public.