No bond for ex-city worker in porn case

BY KEITH EPPS

A former city employee was denied bond Tuesday after the prosecutor told a judge more than 600 images and 30 movies of child pornography were found on one of the man’s computers.

Louis Philip Cox IV, 28, the former supervisor of the downtown Fredericksburg parking garage, is charged with manufacturing marijuana and 10 counts of possessing child pornography. Cox was fired from his position following his release last week.

Cox was in Fredericksburg General District Court Tuesday with his attorney, Price Koch, seeking to be released on bond. Koch argued that a bond of between $10,000 to $15,000 would be reasonable.

But special prosecutor Tony Spencer, the commonwealth’s attorney in Caroline County, urged Judge John R. Stevens to hold Cox without bond.

He said FBI experts have examined only one of several computers in Cox’s possession and have already found hundreds of pictures and movies depicting child pornography.

He also indicated that police are investigating the possibility that Cox used his job to tamper with the city’s computer system.

Spencer said Cox told police that he hadn’t viewed those images in six months, but forensics tests showed it had been only 30 days.

In addition, Spencer said police have information indicating that Cox has talked to people about bombing police cars and the police station.

Koch argued that Cox should not be denied bond based on uncharged criminal offenses. He also said that the hard drives on which the child porn was found first belonged to other people.

Spencer also cited Cox’s prior felony record, which he had even before being hired and promoted by the city.

He also pointed out that Cox went to stay with family in Italy for a year after an arrest several years ago and might try to do so again if released.

Stevens denied bond, but agreed to re-evaluate the matter again at Cox’s preliminary hearing, which was set for July 10.

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404

kepps@freelancestar.com

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