A transgender individual, previously convicted of exposing himself to women and minors in Arlington and Fairfax County, Virginia, has exchanged emails with members of the Arlington School Board, according to internal records.
Local news source 7 News First highlighted findings from emails acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The reports center on Richard “Riki” Cox, 58, who faces numerous charges including incidents at a pool operated by Arlington Public Schools (APS) that is available to the public outside of school hours. Notably, both Fairfax and Arlington districts permit access to locker rooms based on “gender identity,” which allowed Cox to undress in public areas alongside women and children.
Cox reached out to Arlington School Commissioner Kathleen Clark via email on October 28, 2024. He expressed the notion that those who are unhappy about transgender individuals using women’s facilities should perhaps use private changing areas instead. Cox also inquired about Clark’s stance on the matter, aiming to gauge whether he should support her in future elections.
In her reply, Clark emphasized her appreciation for Cox’s work in LGBTQ+ advocacy while also pressing him with questions regarding the alleged incidents.
On October 31, 2024, Cox followed up, stating he was upset by treatment received from the pool staff at Washington Liberty High School. He recounted a situation where staff questioned how long he would be using the showers and directed others to separate changing rooms, which he felt perpetuated negative stereotypes about transgender people.
He wrote, “This sends a message that transgender individuals are somehow different or less deserving of respect. Anti-discrimination laws exist at multiple levels to protect against such hostility. Are we going to enhance staff training, adjust our policies for more inclusivity, or should I consider voting for someone else?”
Clark responded on the same day, expressing hope that he had not endured transphobic remarks and asserting that he should feel comfortable using the showers and changing rooms of his choice. She also mentioned that he “needed some training” and that she had reached out to the Arlington Gender Identity Alliance to inform community members about the situation.
Following these email exchanges, police confirmed that Cox had repeatedly accessed women’s locker rooms in the area. It remains uncertain whether Clark was aware of Cox’s status as a sex offender during their communications. A spokesperson from APS clarified that Clark was acting as a civilian and a candidate during these interactions. The district clarified:
In the communications, Richard Cox presented himself as a concerned citizen. As stated by Superintendent Duran, once APS was alerted about the registered sex offender’s presence at one of our aquatic centers, immediate actions were taken to prohibit him from APS property and to notify law enforcement. We have never knowingly permitted a sex offender on our premises, and have strengthened our security measures for facility access.
After a report from 7 News regarding Cox’s registered status as a sex offender, further emails surfaced in January 2025, indicating APS’s involvement with the Arlington County Commission concerning “issues” related to what was termed the “WL Pool Incident.” The day after the story broke, Clark emailed an assistant regarding the ongoing situation, expressing hope that future communications would frame this as an isolated occurrence.
In February, Arlington County’s communications director discussed Cox with local police and APS officials, revealing that identification checks are not performed at every entrance. Superintendent Duran mentioned during a school board meeting in February 2025 that the district aims to prohibit sex offenders from accessing its aquatic facilities.
The school district indicated that the pool manager became aware of Cox’s name appearing on Virginia’s sex offender registry in October 2024 and subsequently notified the school’s emergency management team who reported the issue to law enforcement. Pool staff were instructed to deny Cox entry and to call police if necessary.
Arlington police reported that Cox had exposed himself to minors and women in girls’ locker rooms at various locations, including two high schools and a recreation center. There have also been allegations regarding similar incidents in Fairfax County, but the local police chief has not pursued charges for those occurrences.
In a preliminary hearing last week, more unsettling details were revealed, with prosecutors alleging that Cox intentionally tracked children in both Arlington and Fairfax counties. Testimony indicated that authorities found disturbing images on his phone, alongside a schedule for children’s swimming classes. Multiple witnesses recounted distressing encounters, including one mother and her 5-year-old daughter witnessing Cox in a compromising situation in a women’s locker room.
Another mother shared that in September 2024, she had discussions with School Board Commissioner Mary Cadella about Cox’s behavior, suggesting improved signage to promote appropriate conduct in locker rooms. Cadella has not responded to media inquiries regarding this matter.
The situation surrounding Cox has sparked heated debate in the lead-up to the 2026 gubernatorial election, particularly with Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears criticizing Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger for endorsing “gender identity” policies that allegedly failed to protect women and children.
In a recent discussion, Spanberger was questioned about whether she would overturn Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent policy preventing transgender individuals from using facilities meant for women. She avoided providing a straightforward response.
When contacted for comment regarding Cox’s exchanges with the school board, Spanberger’s campaign did not clarify whether she would roll back the governor’s directives.
A spokesperson emphatically stated, “Richard Cox is a predator who deserves to be behind bars, and that’s where he belongs.” The spokesperson also noted that Spanberger, a mother of three daughters in Virginia public schools and a former federal law enforcement officer, prioritizes the safety of Virginia’s youth, committing to collaborating with law enforcement to protect children from predators and ensure accountability.
