Candidate for Charles City Sheriff arrested, indicted on six felony charges

A Town of West Point man who declared his candidacy in the race for sheriff in Charles City County has turned himself in and was indicted on six felony charges related to activities involving submitting election materials for his campaign.

Indictments unsealed Wednesday afternoon were served on Vance R. Richards, 46.

Written accusations allege that Richards submitted an address that was repeated on six different forms on the June 5 deadline when declaring for candidacy to run for sheriff in Charles City. Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Stephan Vick said he was contacted by Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney office in June on allegations that addresses listed by Richards used to file his applications for elected office in Charles City were not valid.

A Charles City grand jury indicted Richards during Tuesday (Sept. 8) morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court.

Richards is charged with two counts of providing false materials on declaration for candidacy and providing false materials of certification of candidate qualifications.

He is also being charged with one count each of making false statements of organization of candidacy, and providing false materials and statements on entry of petitions of qualified voters.

Richards could not be reached at the time of this press release. The investigation remains ongoing. King William County’s Commonwealth Attorney Matthew Kite has been appointed special prosecutor.