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Women and parents are relying on you to keep up the pressure against Arlington Public Schools for what they allowed to (allegedly) transpire in the girls’ locker rooms of at least THREE county facilities: Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center, Washington-Liberty High School, and Wakefield High School.

This post provides a detailed timeline, as it is understood by the Arlington GOP, and next steps.

Our Chairman first became aware of Richard Kenneth Cox in late-September 2024, when friends of his girlfriend raised concerns a man was loitering in the girls’ locker room at Washington-Liberty High School (after hours) during the APS Aquatics hours at the pool.

When our Chairman implored these women to allow him to alert the public, they were terrified. They didn’t want to be targeted and ostracized by members of the community.

One woman alerted the swim group via their group text in late-September.

Here is her initial message: 

“Helena,” referenced in the text is Helena Machado, Director of Aquatics Management for Arlington Public Schools, according to her still-publicly-visible LinkedIn page.

Rather than asking Richard Kenneth Cox to use a private (family) changing room, Helena Machado allegedly advised women who complained to use the family changing room.

The woman in the above text is not the only woman who has expressed this to the Arlington GOP.

Other women in the group (mostly Asian and Hispanic women) expressed disgust and concern about Cox’s presence in the girls’ locker room — but they were also concerned about the public scrutiny they might receive if they allowed me to publicly share their concerns in September 2024.

On October 23, 2024, ARLnow reported an “indecent exposure” incident at Washington-Liberty High School (incident occurred on October 21st).

Another woman (and her adolescent daughter) were exposed to Richard Kenneth Cox’s alleged activity on September 9th. The woman detailed the entire event in a Zoom conversation with Arlington School Board Chair Mary Kadera during “Open Hours” on Monday, September 23rd.

In a written statement provided to the Arlington GOP, the woman expressed to Chair Kadera: 

“At the conclusion of the lesson, my daughter […] and I entered the locker room labeled simply ‘Women’s Lockers’ and were startled to find an adult individual whose head, face, shoulders and chest were covered by a towel but the individual’s penis, testicles and legs were fully exposed to anyone walking through the entrance…

The statement continues: 

“I sent an email to the APS Aquatic Center director to simply clarify the changing room policy in the aquatic center as it relates to different genders. I received no response. This is unacceptable. On Wednesday, we returned for day two of classes and I spoke with the Manager on duty at the Washington Liberty Aquatic Center and I was told the following:

1. Public swim begins at 6:00pm so anyone who pays to use the facility can enter at that time
2. There was a discussion on changing the signage to indicate to users that the room was for all genders, but no formal decision had been made
3. The facility fell under the protections that APS offers its students
4. There are private changing rooms available on site to all users

“We chose to use one of four individual changing rooms for my daughter’s privacy and will continue to do so.

“The APS student handbook notes: “Access to facilities that correspond to your gender identity will be available to all students. Single user, gender neutral facilities will be made available to all users who seek privacy.” However, APPENDIX II: APS ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR lists offenses to include Category D Behavior: BSC18 Exposing body parts, lewd or indecent public behavior.”

“The use of Women’s Lockers facilities by an individual with an adult penis is contradictory to the language used in the APS student handbook especially when we consider that the majority of users of the Women’s Locker facilities at the Washington Liberty Pool are under the age of 15 and are attending swim classes.  Virginia State Law deems indecent exposure to a minor under the age of 15 could be labeled a felony. It is neither lawful or safe for any individual to expose their genitalia to children. Even if this environment is deemed safe for all adults, I deem it inappropriate for my child and ask that all users of the women’s facilities be advised in advance that the changing room is open to all.”

These are damning allegations.

In other comments, the woman said Chair Kadera told her she would speak with APS staff and notify the rest of the members of the School Board.

Based on additional information provided, it appears Richard Kenneth Cox was allegedly engaged in this activity in female locker rooms at Arlington facilities as far back as June 2024, around the same time he exposed himself at a Planet Fitness in Fairfax, according to a WJLA report.

Under far-left Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, the charge relating the the Planet Fitness incident was dismissed.

In an email sent to parents (and later, Arlingtonians who utilize APS’s swim courses), Arlington Public Schools Superindendent Francisco Durán made dubious claims that APS took action within a reasonable timeline to address the matter.

According to the women who are coming forward, that does not appear to be the case.

At least one dubious claim Durán mentioned in his email is: “Additional signage was added in our aquatic centers and guidance was provided to patrons about facility usage.”

However, a regular attendee to the Washington-Liberty High School pool noted the following on Nextdoor: 

These explanations seems to contradict Superintendent Durán’s message to parents yesterday.

In the flurry of all this information, here is the bottom line: 

1. It appears both APS staff and elected officials knew about Richard Kenneth Cox’s activities for weeks, if not months, before he was arrested by Arlington County Police.
    
2. APS staff put the burden on women and girls to avoid Richard Kenneth Cox in the girls’ locker room, even advising them to use single-occupant bathrooms to avoid Cox.

Local news reports have provided additional information:

The original WJLA coverage by Nick Minock late last week blew this story wide open. Sean Kennedy of Virginians for Safe Communities spoke to WMAL’s Larry O’Connor and Julie Gunlock on Tuesday morning.

In the most recent (and perhaps damning) coverage, Fox 5 DC’s Shomari Stone actually speaks to women outside Washington-Liberty High School about the incidents.

Our Chairman is scheduled to speak to WMAL’s Vince Coglianese about this issue at 4:35pm on Thursday, January 23rd. You can listen to it live here.

Parents are beginning to email APS staff and elected officials to demand answers. Several parents have forwarded me their emails.

With that in mind, here’s what you can do:

1. Attend the next Arlington School Board meeting (a week from today) and express your concerns during the public comment period. You can find a calendar with details here.
    
2. Write to APS staff and members of the Arlington School Board to demand answers.
   
   Helena Machado, Director of Aquatics Management for Arlington Public Schools: helena.machado@apsva.us
   
   Full School Board: school.board@apsva.us
   Mary Kadera, School Board Chair: mary.kadera@apsva.us
   Bethany Zecher Sutton: bethany.zechersutton@apsva.us
   Miranda Turner: miranda.turner@apsva.us
   Kathleen Clark: kathleen.clark2@apsva.us
   Zuraya Tapia-Hadley: zuraya.tapiahadley@apsva.us
    
3. If you are a victim of Richard Kenneth Cox’s alleged crimes, share your story with Arlington County Police. You can file a police report or call to speak to an officer/detective here.

Thank you for your attention to these matters, and thank you for being engaged in our community.