Sex offender tries to get key evidence thrown out ahead of trial

ARLINGTON, Virginia — The trial for Richard Cox, a registered sex offender, is set to start on Monday. Cox is facing charges related to entering female locker rooms and allegedly touching himself in front of children. The biological male was able to enter the facilities by claiming to be transgender.

Richard Cox appeared before Judge Daniel T. Lopez in Virginia’s 17th Judicial Circuit Court for a motions hearing on Friday to decide whether the arrest was lawful, whether to suppress evidence from the seizure of Cox’s cellphone, and if media cameras would be allowed in court during the trial.

Richard Cox (Arlington County Adult Detention Center)

Cox has filed a motion for self-representation, meaning both Cox and the court-appointed attorney presented arguments, and questioned the officers