A mayor in Virginia was arrested Friday after he attempted to exchange meth for sex, police say. Richard Silverthorne, the mayor of Fairfax City, was busted at Crowne Plaza Hotel during a sting operation involving undercover detectives early Friday morning. In addition to holding the office of mayor in Fairfax, Silverthorne also worked as a substitute teacher in the Fairfax County school system.
Plans for the sting were put into motion in late July when the Organized Crime and Narcotics Division (OCN) received intel regarding a "possible disturber of methamphetamine," a press release from the Fairfax County Police Department said. An investigative inquiry began immediately, ultimately resulting in the identification of a suspect who was allegedly using a website to set up "casual sex encounters" involving the exchange of meth.
An undercover detective then created a profile on the website to make contact with the suspect, later confirmed as Silverthorne, who allegedly said he could give them meth in exchange for sex. A meeting between undercover detectives and the suspect was arranged, which also included several other men:
"[Silverthorne] did not resist," Fairfax County Capt. Jack Hardin told reporters during a news conference Friday, NBC Newsreported. "He provided a full confession on everything he did that night." Following Silverthorne's arrest, police also arrested Juan Jose Fernandez, 34, and Caustin Lee McLaughlin, 21, as "alleged suppliers."
Fernandez was charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine, felony possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. McLaughlin, who place say "physically resisted" during his arrest and had a taser used on him, was charged with felony distribution, felony obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Silverthorne is scheduled for arraignment Aug. 10, with a preliminary hearing currently set for Oct. 31.
The Fairfax County Police Department did not immediately respond to Complex's request for comment.
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