A former Virginia state lawmaker was arrested over the weekend on felony gun and drug charges and misdemeanor violation of a non-disclosure order, according to sheriff’s office officials and jail records.
Matt Farris, who has represented the state as a Republican since 2012 and unsuccessfully ran as an independent last year, was booked into the Blue Ridge Regional Jail early Sunday, according to online jail records.
Campbell County Sheriff’s Lt. Jarrett Rea is charged with possession of a Schedule I or II drug, a felony, possession of a Schedule I or II drug while in possession of a firearm, also a felony, and violation of a confidentiality order, a misdemeanor. The agency made the announcement over the phone.
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Rea said she had no details to share about the charges against Faris or what led to her arrest, other than confirming the charges, which were also listed in jail records. He said further information would likely be available on Monday.
Former Virginia Rep. Matt Farris faces felony and misdemeanor firearm and drug charges just weeks after he was acquitted of hitting his ex-girlfriend with an SUV during an argument.
It was not immediately clear whether Faris had an attorney who could comment on his behalf. There are no records in court or prison records, and Rea could not say whether Faris obtained the records. Faris remained in custody Sunday afternoon, according to jail records.
Jail records list Farris’ trial date as Monday, but the date was not immediately reflected in the state’s online court system.
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The incident comes just weeks after Farris was found not guilty of felony hit-and-run and serious bodily injury charges for hitting his ex-girlfriend with an SUV during an argument last year. Faris, who lives in Campbell County outside Lynchburg, was found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of improper driving and ordered to pay a $500 fine.
Chuck Felmley, the defense attorney who represented Ms. Farris in the case, did not immediately respond to inquiries left at his office Sunday.
News of Farris’ arrest was first reported by Cardinal News.
