(AP) RICHMOND, VA. According to a sheriff's office official and jail records, a former Virginia senator was detained over the weekend on felony charges related to guns and drugs as well as a misdemeanor charge of breaking a protection order.
Matt Fariss, who unsuccessfully ran for office as an independent last year after serving in the House of Delegates as a Republican since 2012, was checked into a Blue Ridge Regional Jail early on Sunday, according to online jail records.
According to Lt. Jarrett Rea of the Campbell County Sheriff's Office, over the phone, he is charged with three felonies: possession of a Schedule I or II drug, possession of a Schedule I or II narcotic while in possession of a firearm, and misdemeanor violation of a protection order.
Rea stated he had nothing else to say regarding the accusations against Fariss or the circumstances surrounding his detention, other than to confirm the charges, which were also recorded in the jail files. He predicted that by Monday, further details would probably be accessible.
If Fariss had an attorney who could comment on his behalf, it was not immediately apparent. Rea was unable to determine whether Fariss had acquired one, as none could be found in court or jail records. According to jail records, Fariss was still being held on Sunday afternoon.
Fariss's court date is listed in jail records for Monday; however, the state's online court system did not immediately display the date.
This occurred only a few weeks after Fariss, who had been charged with felony hit-and-run and malicious injury last year, was found not guilty of hitting his ex-girlfriend with his SUV during an argument. Fariss, who lives in Campbell County, which is close to Lynchburg, was found guilty of a less serious driving offense and fined $500.
When questions were left at his office on Sunday, Chuck Felmlee, the defense lawyer who represented Fariss in that case, did not immediately reply.
Cardinal News had first reported on Fariss's arrest.
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This happened only a few weeks after former state representative from Virginia, Matt Fariss, was found not guilty of two felonies: hit-and-run and intentional injury.
