Fox, who has a lengthy criminal record, was arraigned Wednesday for felony second-degree murder in Buffalo City Court.

Official records show, that in 1993, Fox was convicted of third-degree rape of a 14-year-old girl, and was sentenced to 18 months to three years in prison in Chautauqua County. Then, in 2005, Fox was charged and convicted of first-degree attempted rape and first-degree aggravated sex abuse of a 42-year-old Buffalo woman in Buffalo.

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Under New York state law, Fox is classified as a Level 3 registered sex offender, meaning he is considered “high risk of repeat offense and a threat to public safety.” Level 3 is the highest level of risk designated by New York state. Additionally, Fox was found in the Niagara Falls area and was brought to Buffalo to answer criminal charges levied against him.

In addition to facing murder charges, Fox has also been charged with: one count of sex offender failure to report change in address; one count of sex offender failure to verify address every 90 days; one count of sex offender failure to provide photo and one count of sex offender failure to mail verification form.

From left, two Buffalo police detectives, Buffalo Police Chief of Detectives Craig Macy, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane (speaking) Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone, three Chautauqua County detectives and investigators are pictured at a press conference, Wednesday, where an update was given on the arrest of Richard, J. Fox, 61, of Buffalo, for the alleged murder of Marquita Mull, a 50-year-old Buffalo woman who went missing and her body was later found off a trail in Chautauqua County in 2021. Submitted photo

If convicted on all charges, Fox faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

During the 11a.m. Wednesday press conference, Buffalo Police detectives, Chautauqua County Sheriff detectives/investigators, Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone, Buffalo Police Chief of Detectives Craig Macy, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia and Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane presented a brief on the events leading up to Fox’s arrest.

“The family of Marquita has been working with our officers and with our investigators right along, and our heart goes out to them,” Quattrone said.

Echoing Quattrone’s statement, Keane said, “As a result of the diligent and collaborative work of this multi-agency investigation, I am pleased to announce the arrest of this defendant. While this remains an active case and we continue to seek more information, I want to applaud the many dedicated members of law enforcement who never let this case go cold. The family of Marquita Mull has waited more than four years for answers, and we are committed to obtaining justice for the victim and her family.”

According to police reports, Mull was reported missing to authorities July 18, 2021, after last being spotted on June 25, 2021, in the Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore area. Her remains were found on a trail in the town of Portland on Sept. 27, 2021, after a hiker found a different set of human remains less than 20 yards away in a shallow grave. Investigators believe Mull was murdered in Buffalo and her remains were transported to Chautauqua County for disposal. Mull’s body was found near the skeletal remains of another human body, according to official reports. It is unclear if the two deaths are connected.

The investigation into the other body is ongoing, said Keane. However, while the other body has been identified, Keane, declined to release the deceased’s information.

Wendy Mull, Marquita Mull’s sister, previously said in 2021, “What could she have done so bad for somebody to kill her and dump her like that? What she probably was … to get away or knew she was in a situation she didn’t want to be in, but they didn’t have to throw her away like that.”