Multiple sex offenders are facing allegations of indecent exposure in girls’ locker rooms at public schools and community centers in Virginia. These individuals claim to be transgender women.
Richard Cox, a 58-year-old offender at the highest tier of the sex offender registry, appeared in court in Arlington on Thursday. He repeatedly asserted that he is now a woman and insisted that prosecutors stop misunderstanding his identity.
Nonetheless, the judge dismissed his claims, as numerous witnesses testified they saw him expose himself and engage in inappropriate behavior in the local public locker room.
In one incident, Cox, who has a long history of sex crimes spanning over three decades, was reported for voyeurism in shared changing rooms at high schools that allow access based on gender identity.
A distressed mother recounted a situation where she and her 5-year-old daughter entered a public locker room post-swim class and encountered Cox engaging in inappropriate behavior, with curtains drawn back.
Another woman described how her young daughters witnessed Cox naked in the Girls’ Locker Room at the Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center during gymnastics classes.
A 17-year-old lifeguard, who worked at an Arlington pool, corroborated witnessing Cox naked in the school locker room, similar to other female witnesses during the hearing.
The investigation revealed that Cox had child pornography on his phone, along with a schedule for a child’s gymnastics class at the Barcroft gym. Additionally, a detective found a swimming lesson schedule for children at the Reck Center in nearby Fairfax County.
Cox, a Tier III sex offender, is classified as the highest-risk type and must register for life. He has been on the registry since 1998, according to official documents.
In December, he was apprehended for voyeurism in a changing room shared with Washington Riverty High School.
The Arlington Public School policy allows individuals to use locker rooms based on their chosen gender identity, which has generated discussions within the community.
Cox had been under investigation by law enforcement for similar incidents, with multiple complaints made before his arrest.
He is facing 29 charges related to sexual offenses since 2024, and his case will be brought before a judge next week. His criminal history dates back to 1992, according to recorded documents.
