DC-Area Mayor Charged|After Meth-for-Sex Sting

(CN) - The mayor of Fairfax, Va. faced drug charges Friday after his arrest in a meth-for-sex sting.

Mayor R. Scott Silverthorne was arrested Thursday after meeting with undercover detectives at a hotel.

In a statement, the Fairfax County police said they began an investigation into a possible methamphetamine dealer in the area in July after receiving an anonymous tip.

The police said they quickly identified a suspect distributing methamphetamine through a website used to arrange for casual sexual encounters between men.

An undercover detective created a profile on the site and police said within days the suspect, who turned out to be Mayor Silverthorne, made contact and they then communicated by text.

Silverthorne, 50, indicated that he could provide methamphetamine for sexual encounters and undercover detectives agreed to meet for a group sexual encounter in exchange for methamphetamine, police said.

Silverthorne promised to bring the meth and other men, police said.

Detectives met Silverthorne at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in McLean on Thursday and he was arrested after he gave them methamphetamine.

Also arrested were two of Silverthorne's suppliers: Juan Jose Fernandez, 34, and Caustin Lee McLaughlin, 21, both reportedly of Maryland.

Fernandez was charged with distribution of methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

McLaughlin was charged with distribution of methamphetamine, obstruction of justice and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All three men were being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center Friday morning.

Silverthorne, son of former Fairfax Mayor Frederick Silverthorne, was re-elected in May for his third term as the city's chief executive.

Before being elected mayor he served on the Fairfax City Council, and police said he was also a substitute teacher for the Fairfax County Public Schools.

Silverthorne's arrest caps a bad year for the Democrat. According to The Washington Post, he lost his job with the National Association of Manufacturers, filed for bankruptcy, lost his home to foreclosure and was diagnosed with cancer squamous cell carcinoma for which he was treated until shortly before the recent election.

Photo caption:

These booking photos provided by the Fairfax County, Va., Police Department show, from left, City of Fairfax, Va. Mayor Richard "Scott" Silverthorne, Juan Jose Fernandez, 34, and Caustin Lee McLaughlin, 21, both of Maryland. Silverthorne is facing drug charges after police say he was arrested in a meth-for-sex sting. Police say detectives located Silverthorne's two suppliers and they were also arrested and charged. (Fairfax County, Va., Police Department via AP)

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