Former Del. Rep. Matt Fariss, R-Campbell County, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two felonies involving drugs and weapons, but will avoid additional prison time as long as he abides by his probation agreement.

Ahead of his scheduled trial, Fariss pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, a Schedule II substance in Virginia, and possession of a firearm, which special prosecutor Erik Laub described Wednesday as a hunting rifle, while who was in possession of methamphetamine.

Fariss was arrested and jailed on March 23 after being pulled over for erratic driving and having no brake lights on a trailer he was pulling with his vehicle. During the stop, Fariss was found in possession of what was later determined to be methamphetamine. In addition, a field test conducted at the scene determined that Fariss was under the influence of drugs. Both charges, which were certified by a grand jury on June 4, are criminal offenses in Virginia.

As part of the plea, Fariss, who was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2012 until January, was also sentenced to a total of 3 years in prison. However, that prison term was suspended and Fariss was instead given 5 years of unsupervised probation. Retired Shenandoah County Judge Dennis Lee Hupp, who has overseen Fariss’ case since it was moved to circuit court in June, approved the plea deal.

Fariss, 56, has been held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail since Oct. 25, when Hupp revoked Fariss’ $5,000 bond after he tested positive for methamphetamine earlier that week — a violation of the agreement his obligation. He was handcuffed and dressed in orange prison clothes during Wednesday’s appearance. He was expected to be released from jail after being processed later in the day. He served a total of 22 days in prison before being released.

Fariss, who chose not to address the court before sentencing, only answered “yes sir” and “no sir” as Hupp confirmed the former delegate was satisfied with his legal process and was clear of all legal restrictions which come with pleading.

Hupp acknowledged that Fariss had no record prior to the indictment and agreed that he should not serve more jail time. He also encouraged Fariss to get the help he needed to follow the strict rules of his probation.

“I understand that you have been a contributing member of this community,” Hupp said. “It’s very sad for me to see this happen. I hope you and your family seek the help you need to get better.

“… Please respect these terms so we don’t have to come back here.”

Two of Faris’ three sons, as well as his father, sister and a cousin, also attended the hearing and spoke briefly with Farris’ attorney, Lynchburg attorney Chuck Felmlee, before Fariss arrived.

Felmlee said she encouraged the family to seek the treatment Farris needs to help him avoid future positive drug tests.

“Matt has a good understanding of what’s coming,” Felmlee said. “But he’ll be home for the holidays and I think that’s good for everybody.”

Laub, who was assigned to prosecute the case to avoid any conflict of interest anyone in the Campbell County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office might have had in connection with Farris, said the conviction exceeded the recommended parameters for a first-time offender. date.

Felmlee said Fariss and his family were willing to agree to a suspended sentence so he could get off the case immediately.

“We were interested in having (Matt) released today,” Felmlee said. “He certainly takes responsibility for his actions.”

Fariss had no criminal record before Wednesday, but had faced several legal problems before that.

Just weeks before his arrest for illegal drug and weapons possession, Fariss was found not guilty of hit and run and malicious wounding, stemming from an alleged domestic incident in March 2023. He was found guilty of the same trial of a traffic violation and paid a $500 fine.

Fariss was first elected to represent the 59th District of the House of Delegates in 2011 and continued in that role until January 2024.

In the 2023 cycle, he missed the filing deadline for the Republican nomination but ran as an independent. Republican candidate Eric Zehr defeated him and Democrat Kimberly Moran in the November general election.

In his final year in office, Fariss served on the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, the Appropriations and Public Safety Committees, and the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee.

Related stories