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A Fairfax County police sergeant has been arrested on two felony counts of aggravated sexual battery and placed on leave while criminal and administrative investigations move forward.
Matthew Sylvester, 40, of Warrenton, was taken into custody by the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office at about 1 a.m. Saturday, April 18, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Police said both alleged victims are known to him.
The sheriff’s office confirmed the arrest and released a booking photo but declined to provide further details about its ongoing investigation.
Sylvester has worked for Fairfax County police for 16 years and was most recently assigned to the department’s internal affairs bureau. He is now on leave pending the outcome of the two investigations.
As of Sunday afternoon, the case had not appeared in Fauquier County’s online court records.
Under Virginia law, aggravated sexual battery covers several forms of sexual abuse, including cases involving certain minors or victims who are physically or mentally incapacitated. The charge may also apply when an act is committed without consent under other circumstances specified by law, including serious injury or a threat involving a weapon.
Aggravated sexual battery is punishable by one to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $100,000.