ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — Richard Cox, a registered child sex offender, appeared in Arlington General District Court on Monday morning for a hearing related to a series of alleged indecent exposure incidents in an Arlington fitness center and at two Arlington schools.
Cox, 58, is facing more than 20 charges in Arlington County, where he is accused of exposing himself to women and girls in female locker rooms. The incidents reportedly occurred at several locations, including the Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center, Washington Liberty High School, and Wakefield High School. These schools have pools that are open to the public after school hours.
Cox had two court hearings on Monday. Some of his charges are in Arlington Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the other charges are in General District Court.
7News Reporter Nick Minock was at Cox’s Arlington Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court hearing where Cox’s public defender requested the hearing be closed to the public.
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Following the alleged indecent exposure reports, Minock reached out to Arlington Public Schools:
Why did Arlington Public Schools allow a male sex offender to use the girl’s locker room at Washington-Liberty High School?
Why didn’t the Arlington School Board members respond to the women and address the problem?
Is the Arlington School Board in favor of allowing men to use APS girl locker rooms if they identify as transgender?
“APS permits pool patrons to access restrooms and facilities that correspond to their gender identity. We take every report of concerning or unsafe behavior very seriously and do not tolerate behaviors from any individual who is threatening or making others feel unsafe. APS responded to all patron concerns related to this matter in a timely manner and took appropriate and immediate action to investigate, notify law enforcement, and prevent the individual from returning to our pool facilities,” an Arlington Public Schools spokesperson told 7News.
7News was also the first to report that Cox allegedly exposed himself in women’s locker rooms at two Planet Fitness locations in Fairfax County last summer. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of similar incidents occurring again, given Cox’s past offenses.
Cox is a Tier III sex offender, according to court documents. Tier III offenses are the most serious type of sex offense with a required registration period of life.
Cox’s hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani Tafti’s office is handling the prosecution of Cox.
This story is developing. Stay with 7News for the latest updates.
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