VA judge dismissed charges against a registered repeat sex offender accused of exposing himself in women’s high school locker rooms

A Virginia judge has dismissed charges against Richard Cox, a registered repeat sex offender accused of exposing himself in women’s high school locker rooms, after Cox claimed to be a “transgender woman” and invoked a 14th Amendment equal protection argument. Cox has multiple convictions for child pornography and prior sexual offenses and still faces rape charges involving a minor. Court records indicate he admitted decades ago to deriving sexual gratification from exposing himself to women and children.

Critics see this as a dangerous precedent—allowing a known predator access to girls’ locker rooms under the banner of “rights” and sacrificing safety for ideology. The case now moves to appeal under Attorney General Jay Jones, whose office has been criticized for incompetence, fueling concerns that public safety is being sidelined in favor of activist priorities. Virginia families are calling for better protection.