Virginia Attorney General Criticizes Prosecutors Over Sex Offender Case
Virginia’s Attorney General, Jason Miyares, has voiced strong criticisms against his Democratic opponents and local prosecutors, arguing that their actions enabled sex offender Richard Cox to repeatedly “hunt little girls” and engage in inappropriate behavior.
Cox, a registered sex offender since the George H.W. Bush presidency, has recently come out as transgender. He faced complaints from a woman at a Fairfax gym, who alleged inappropriate exposure in the locker room.
Miyares noted that many of Cox’s alleged offenses could have been prevented if certain legislative measures had been supported. He specifically pointed out that Jerrauld “Jay” Jones didn’t back a bill that would let driver license applicants self-identify their gender.
Miyares accused Jones of permitting countless victims to endure harm, stating that Cox was able to expose himself due to the protections granted by the legislation Jones supported. Jones, the Democratic candidate challenging Miyares, represented Norfolk when he voted to amend the Virginia code with SB 246 in 2020, a bill that was ultimately signed into law by then-Governor Ralph Northam.
“The failure to protect these women and girls falls squarely on those who defended this bill,” Miyares remarked, expressing that the legislation has led to tragic outcomes for victims like those affected by Cox’s actions. He emphasized that such protections should not allow individuals like Cox access to women’s spaces.
Cox recently faced accusations of exposing himself in a recreation center and a high school locker room in Arlington, yet nearby prosecutors in Fairfax County have not acted on similar claims against him. Miyares pointed out that local Federal lawyer, Steve Descano, has opted not to pursue charges despite the numerous complaints made about Cox.
Moreover, Miyares raised concerns that Cox is reportedly seeking young girls in local parks, stating, “Richard Cox was hunting a little girl in Fairfax County—what does Steve Descano need to do his job?”
Descano is under scrutiny for what Miyares describes as lax prosecutorial practices, especially concerning issues involving transgender individuals and sex offenders. In another incident, a man named Caceres Jardin was accused of attempting to abduct a three-year-old girl at a mall, further raising alarms about local law enforcement’s ability to handle such cases.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has also condemned Fairfax officials, calling for an investigation into their handling of similar incidents. Recent reports highlighted that Descano’s office had deleted some charges, raising further questions about accountability.
While Arlington County officials have moved forward with charges against Cox after discovering disturbing content on his phone, including child pornography and schedules for swimming classes, Miyares remains critical of how the situation was managed. The Fairfax County Police Department concluded their investigation and stated there was no reason to support the charges at this time, prompting Miyares to direct concerns to the Department of Justice, citing numerous unresolved cases.
