Gay Fairfax mayor arrested in meth-for-sex scheme
Scott Silverthorne is accused of using online dating site to arrange drug exchange
Scott Silverthorne, the openly gay mayor of Fairfax City, was arrested Thursday for arranging to provide methamphetamine in exchange for sex. Silverthorne, 50, was arrested at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tysons Corner as part of an undercover sting.
According to The Washington Post, police began investigating Silverthorne after a tip from an unidentified citizen who alleged the mayor was selling meth in exchange for sex. Police found that Silverthorne was on a gay male dating website, and an undercover detective made a profile on the website to contact the mayor.
The detective and Silverthorne exchanged messages both online and via text, with Silverthorne agreeing to meet the detective for a “group sexual encounter in exchange for meth,” police officials said at a Friday news conference. Silverthorne would provide the drug, and the detective was to provide the hotel room. He showed up at the hotel on Thursday evening with 2 grams of meth and has since been charged with distribution of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Silverthorne declined to comment, directing all requests to his attorney, Brian Drummond. On Friday morning, Drummond declined comment as well, though he did confirm that Silverthorne was released from jail without being booked into custody.
Police also arrested two Maryland men who are thought to have supplied Silverthorne with the drug. Juan Jose Fernandez, 34, and Caustin Lee McLaughlin, 21, both face several drug-related charges, including meth distribution.
Silverthorne’s arrest caps off what was already a rough year for the mayor, who was laid off from his job with the National Association of Manufacturers last year. Due to owing nearly $58,000 in debts, he filed for bankruptcy. A bank foreclosed on his house, forcing him to move in with a friend. He was also diagnosed last year with neck cancer.
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