LCSO Detective on Leave after DWI Charge

Deputies charged a 10-year employee of Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office with driving while intoxicated Saturday after an incident at the Lansdowne Town Center.

Deputies initially responded to the area at approximately 12:30 a.m. after a possibly intoxicated male reportedly attempted to leave in a vehicle. When deputies arrived, they identified the suspect as an undercover detective in LCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division. He is alleged to have struck two parked vehicles. The suspect was driving his personal vehicle, not a county-issued vehicle.

The name of the officer was not released. An LCSO press release stated that the reason for not reporting the name is because “this is both a criminal and personnel matter, and because of safety concerns regarding his involvement in ongoing criminal investigations.”

“We hold our deputies to the highest standards and respect due process,” Sheriff Mike Chapman said in the release. “We must allow the criminal justice system and an internal investigation to take its course regarding this matter.”

The suspect was taken into custody at the scene. He has since been placed on paid administrative leave. Patch will report any additional details as they become available.

The previous information was supplied by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and, where charges were made, does not indicate a conviction. For questions about this article, email dusty@patch.com.