Former Del. Matt Fariss, R-Campbell County, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two felony counts involving drugs and guns but will avoid additional jail time, providing he abides by his probation agreement.
Prior to his planned bench trial, Fariss pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, a Schedule II substance in Virginia, and in possession of a firearm, which special prosecutor Erik Laub described on Wednesday as a hunting rifle, while in possession of the methamphetamine.
Fariss was arrested and jailed on March 23 after he was pulled over for erratic driving and not having taillights on a trailer he was pulling with his vehicle. During the stop, Fariss was found to be in possession of what was later determined to be methamphetamine. In addition, a field test conducted on the scene determined that Fariss was under the influence of drugs. Both charges, which were certified by a grand jury on June 4, are felony offenses in Virginia.
As part of the plea, Fariss, who was a member of Virginia’s House of Delegates from 2012 until January, was also sentenced to a total of 3 years in prison. However, that prison time 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 agreement.
Fariss, 56, has been held in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail since Oct. 25, when Hupp revoked Fariss’ $5,000 bond after he had tested positive earlier that week for methamphetamine — a violation of his bond agreement. He was handcuffed and dressed in his 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 jail prior to his release.
Fariss, who chose not to address the court before his sentencing, answered only “yes sir” and “no sir” as Hupp confirmed that the former delegate was satisfied with his legal process and was clear with all the legal restrictions that come along with the plea.
Hupp acknowledged that Fariss had no record prior to his indictment and agreed that he should not have to spend additional jail time. He also encouraged Fariss to get the help he needed to follow his strict probation guidelines.
“I understand you have been a contributing member of this community,” Hupp said. “It’s really sad for me to see this has come about. I hope you and your family seek the help you need to get better.
“… Please abide by these terms so we don’t have to come back here again.”
Two of Fariss’ three sons, as well as his father, sister and a cousin, also attended the hearing and spoke briefly to Fariss’ attorney, Lynchburg-based lawyer Chuck Felmlee, prior to Fariss’ arrival.
Felmlee said he has encouraged the family to seek the treatment Fariss needs to help him avoid future positive drug tests.
“Matt has a good understanding of what lies ahead,” Felmlee said. “But he will be home for the holidays, and I think that’s good for everybody.”
Laub, who was appointed to prosecute the case to avoid any conflicts of interest anyone in the Campbell County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office might have had involving Fariss, said the sentencing exceeded the recommended parameters for a first-time offender.
Felmlee said Fariss and his family were willing to agree to the suspended sentence so they could immediately move forward from the case.
“We were interested in having [Matt] released today,” Felmlee said. “He’s certainly taking responsibility for his actions.”
Fariss had no felony record prior to Wednesday, but he had faced several legal issues prior to this.
Just a few weeks before his arrest for illegal drug and gun possession, Fariss had been found not guilty of felony hit and run and malicious wounding, which stemmed from an alleged domestic incident in March 2023. He was found guilty in the same trial of a misdemeanor traffic offense and paid a $500 fine.
Fariss was first elected to represent the 59th District of the House of Delegates in 2011 and continued that role until January 2024.
In the 2023 cycle, he missed the filing deadline for the Republican nomination but ran as an independent. Republican nominee Eric Zehr defeated him and Democrat Kimberly Moran in the November general election.
During 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.
