Chesterfield man faces child pornography charges

Gregory S. Cox, 40, of the 2600 block of Lancraft Road, was arrested last week after he was indicted on 10 counts of child pornography by a Hanover County grand jury.

Cox is a registered sex offender, and was previously convicted of possessing child porn in Florida two years ago. He was added to Virginia's registry in May after moving to Chesterfield.

The latest charges stem from an investigation involving a computer at Cox's workplace. According to reports, Cox's boss notified police when he suspected Cox had used a coworker's computer over the Thanksgiving holiday. When police seized the computer, they found 80 pornographic images, 10 of which involved children.

"Chip Alert" moves forward

At press time, Gov. Tim Kaine was expected to sign the "Chip Alert" into law. The legislation will expand the Amber Alert system to include all high school students.

It's named after 18-year-old Allen "Chip" Ellis, a Midlothian teen who was killed by a classmate last spring during a carjacking,

Under current law, an Amber Alert can only be issued for missing children ages 17 and under. The Chip Alert would expand the alert system to include all high school students regardless of age.

When Ellis was missing last May, his parents were unable to issue an Amber Alert because of his age.

Fire leaves family homeless

A Chesterfield family was left homeless last week after a fire engulfed their Rosegill Road home. The blaze originated in the home's fireplace.

The family of seven had lived at the home for 12 years.