Fairfax City Democratic Mayor Scott Silverthorne Arrested for Methamphetamine Distribution
A shakeup is expected in November’s mayoral election in Fairfax City, following this morning’s report by the Fairfax County Police Department identifying city mayor Richard “Scott” Silverthorne, 50, as one of three suspects arrested yesterday in connection with an investigation into methamphetamine distribution in the area.
Scott Silverthorne, a Democrat according to the Washington Post, was arrested and charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia following a tip which identified him as a suspected drug distributor connecting with buyers through a website intended to facilitate casual sexual encounters between its users. Following the tip, an undercover detective created a profile on the website, engaged Silverthorne via text message, and scheduled the meeting at which the arrest was made.
Silverthorne was taken into custody by undercover detectives after he arrived at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tyson’s Corner to complete the drug transaction.
Following Silverthorne’s arrest, intelligence generated by FCPD detectives also led to the arrest of Silverthorne’s alleged methamphetamine suppliers, Juan Jose Fernandez, 34, and Caustin Lee McLaughlin, 21, both of Maryland, who also face multiple charges including felony methamphetamine distribution.
Silverthorne was first elected mayor of Fairfax City in 2012 won his first re-election in 2014 with 74.3% of the vote against one opponent. Fairfax City elects its mayors in May general elections in every even-numbered year. Silverthorne was just reelected in May, winning with 57.8% of the vote against one opponent.
Although Silverthorne faced publicized financial troubles, which included a bankruptcy and mortgage foreclosure in 2015, FCPD’s description of the incident suggests that sex, not money, was the motive underlying his drug distribution. FCPD wrote,
“During the course of communication, the suspect advised that he could provide methamphetamine for sexual encounters. Undercover detectives agreed to meet the suspect for a group sexual encounter in exchange for methamphetamine.”
Silverthorne is expected to face calls for his immediate resignation from local political committees and civic leaders, though none have been made at the time of publication.
Silverthorne himself responded to the arrest this morning on Facebook, saying:
Based on advice from my legal counsel, I am not going to be commenting on my pending case. I ask that you allow the process to proceed before rushing to judgment (as tough as that may be). I will be appointing an Acting Mayor in the interim, which will be Councilman Jeff Greenfield. Thank you for the many calls and emails today – I will try my best to be responsive.
This arrest will result in the City Council choosing a new mayor if Silverthorne resigns or is removed, the new mayor likely coming from among the City Council. This could open the field to new candidates in what will functionally be an open seat election for City Council. Republican City Councilman Jeff Greenfield, who Silverthorne has appointed Acting Mayor, just won reelection by a bare three votes after a recount in May.
