Falls Church Reporter Fined After Chaotic Arrest At Parade

ANNANDALE, VA—The Falls Church reporter arrested for causing a scene at the Annandale Parade in October has been found guilty of disorderly conduct and fined $500. Wilfred Michael Stark III, a reporter from the far-left Shareblue Media, had complained about police's decision to take him down in the arrest.

Stark had been covering Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie at the Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 parade, according to The Washington Post. Stark told the Post at the time he had been asked to stay out of the way of a van Gillespie was in. He told the officer he was a reporter covering Gillespie, but the officer said he was blocking the parade route.

In a news release following the incident, police said Stark had been cursing, causing a disturbance and blocking the parade at Gallows Road and Columbia Pike. Investigations show officers asked him to move out of the way and stop cursing around the parade spectators.

When he refused, police tried to take him into custody. Stark, 49, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He had been found not guilty of the resisting arrest charge.

After the incident, Fairfax County Police Chief Ed Roessler defended the officers' actions due to his refusal to follow orders and for the safety of the parade spectators and officers. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

A judge in Fairfax County General District Court said Tuesday officers gave Stark a lot "a lot of breaks" before the arrest.

"I am pleased with the judge's decision," said Roessler of the decision. "I continue to stand behind the great men and women of the Fairfax County Police Department who work diligently to keep our community members safe every day."

Roessler launched an internal investigation after the arrest, which continues today. Police will provide updates on the investigation when available.

Stark had previously claimed in 2006 he was attacked by staff of former Republican Sen. George Allen of Virginia at a campaign event, The Post reported. He alleged the assault came after he confronted Allen with a question. At the time, Stark was a Democratic activist at the University of Virginia.

Image via Fairfax County Police