A registered sex offender in Virginia, Richard Cox, allegedly exploited transgender-friendly policies to access women’s locker rooms, sparking debates over public safety and civil rights. Cox, a 58-year-old Tier III sex offender with a history of indecent exposure dating back to 1992, faced charges after multiple incidents in 2024 where he entered female facilities by identifying as transgender.
– Cox accessed women’s locker rooms at Arlington County rec centers, Washington Liberty High School, and Wakefield High School by claiming his gender identity aligned with facility policies allowing transgender individuals to use spaces matching their identity[1][7][10].
– Police bodycam footage showed Cox arguing that banning him from these spaces violated his civil rights, comparing it to racial segregation[1][4].
– Fairfax County authorities attempted to bar Cox from rec centers after discovering his criminal record, but he continued accessing facilities until his December 2024 arrest[1][4][10].
– Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, accused local prosecutors of failing to prioritize public safety, calling for stricter enforcement against repeat offenders like Cox[3][4]. He criticized Fairfax County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano for dismissing earlier charges against Cox, stating the office had a “criminal first, victim last” mindset[4].
– Schools and rec centers cited policies permitting access based on gender identity, with Arlington Public Schools stating they “take every report of concerning behavior seriously” but affirmed their commitment to transgender inclusion[7].
– Critics argue Cox’s actions highlight risks of policies that prioritize gender identity without accounting for criminal history. Miyares has pushed for revisions to state guidelines, including model policies from the Virginia Department of Education that critics claim “invite discrimination” against transgender students[2][9].
– Meanwhile, Miyares faces backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates for targeting gender-affirming care for minors, which he labeled “chemical and surgical mutilation” in a January 2025 memo[8].
This case underscores tensions between protecting transgender rights and preventing exploitation of inclusive policies. While Cox’s access was enabled by existing rules, Miyares’s interventions reflect efforts to tighten legal safeguards against predatory behavior.
