‘Misgendered’ Sex Offender Accused of Exposing Himself in Girls’ Locker Rooms in Virginia

A convicted sex offender in Virginia is facing new charges after allegedly exposing himself in girls’ locker rooms at schools and community centers while claiming to be a transgender woman, as reported by The New York Post.

Richard Cox, 58, appeared in court in Arlington on Thursday, where prosecutors detailed a pattern of behavior that included incidents in public locker rooms and possession of child pornography.

Cox, who is listed as a Tier III sex offender — the most serious category requiring lifetime registration — has a criminal record for sex-related offenses dating back more than 30 years.

BOMBSHELL DEVELOPMENT: An Arlington detective testified today that registered sex offender Richard Cox, who says he is a woman and was allowed to use Fairfax County women’s locker rooms, had Fairfax County rec center CHILDREN’S swim class schedules ON HIS PHONE, so he knew… pic.twitter.com/ONdPhK7g1l

— Nick Minock (@NickMinock) September 25, 2025

At the hearing, Cox insisted on being recognized as a woman and asked the judge to order the prosecutor to stop “misgendering” him. The judge declined, pointing to testimony from multiple witnesses who reported that Cox was visibly male when he stripped naked in female locker rooms.

According to WJLA, one mother testified that she entered a school locker room with her 5-year-old daughter after swim lessons and saw Cox nude in a shower stall with the curtain open, touching himself.

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Another woman said she and her two young daughters, ages 5 and 6, encountered Cox naked in the girls’ locker room at the Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center during a gymnastics class.

A 17-year-old lifeguard also testified that she witnessed Cox naked in a locker room at one of the Arlington pools. Other women corroborated her account.

Registered sex offender Richard Cox—a grown man—repeatedly prowled into girls’ locker rooms and exposed himself to children. Again. And again.

Abigail Spanberger voted to give him the right to be there. pic.twitter.com/BHXV5cJXPZ

— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) August 24, 2025

Investigators said they found disturbing material on Cox’s phone, including child pornography and schedules for children’s gymnastics and swim classes. Detectives also uncovered schedules from recreation centers in Fairfax County, where Cox had reportedly been seen around children.

Court records show Cox was first placed on the sex offender registry in 1998.

His current charges stem from multiple incidents since 2024, when he was arrested in December for allegedly spying on women in the female changing rooms at Arlington’s swimming center, which shares facilities with Washington-Liberty High School.

Arlington Public Schools’ policy allows individuals to use restrooms and locker rooms based on their self-identified gender.

Jail records indicate Cox now faces 29 charges tied to his recent actions. Prosecutors confirmed the case will be presented to a grand jury in Arlington next week.

Cox’s criminal history includes repeated arrests and convictions dating back to 1992. Authorities say he has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement in recent months, prompting concerns from parents and local officials.

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