Ex-Virginia delegate Fariss arrested on gun, drug charges

RICHMOND — A former Virginia lawmaker was arrested over the weekend on felony gun and drug charges and a misdemeanor charge of violating a protective order, according to a sheriff ’s office official and jail records.

Matt Fariss, who had served in the House of Delegates as a Republican since 2012 before running unsuccessfully last year as an independent, was booked at a Blue Ridge Regional Jail facility in Amherst County — roughly 120 miles west of Richmond — early Sunday, online jail records show.

He faces charges of possession of a Schedule I or II drug, a felony, possession of a Schedule I or II drug while possessing a firearm, also a felony, and misdemeanor violation of a protective order, Lt. Jarrett Rea of the Campbell County Sheriff ’s Office said by phone.

Rea said that apart from confirming the charges, which were also listed in jail records, he had no other details to share about the allegations against Fariss or what led to his arrest. He said more information would likely be available today.

It was not immediately clear if Fariss had an attorney who could comment on his behalf. None was listed in court or jail records, and Rea could not say whether Fariss had obtained one. Jail records indicated Fariss remained in custody Sunday afternoon.

Jail records list a court date for Fariss today though no date was immediately reflected in the state’s online court system.

The development came just weeks after Fariss was acquitted of felony hit-andrun and malicious wounding charges after being accused last year of striking ex-girlfriend Julie Miles with his SUV after they had argued. Fariss — of Campbell County, just outside of Lynchburg — was convicted of a less serious charge of improper driving and ordered to pay a $500 fine.

According to Cardinal News, which first reported the arrest, it was also not clear Sunday whether the alleged protective order violation from this weekend relates to Miles. Reached by phone, Miles declined to comment, citing an ongoing civil case against Fariss.

Chuck Felmlee, the defense attorney who represented Fariss in that case, did not immediately respond to inquiries left at his office Sunday.

Fariss was first elected to represent the 59th District as a Republican in 2012. He then ran last fall as an independent in the newly redrawn 51st District — which includes most of Campbell County, the northern part of Pittsylvania County, and the southern part of Bedford County — but lost a three-way race.