Virginia deputy who claimed he was attacked accused of falsifying report
WARRENTON, Va. July 13 2020— A Virginia deputy who claimed he was attacked Friday night is accused of making up the incident, authorities said.
Jake Preston Dooley, 22, of Marshall, Virginia, was charged Saturday with falsely summonsing law enforcement and obstruction of justice, WTVR reported.
According to the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, a passerby found Dooley, apparently unconscious on the road near Warrenton about 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Dooley told authorities he was on his way home when he was attacked after stopping at an intersection to remove an object from the highway, WJLA reported.
Dooley said as he walked back to his vehicle, he observed a dark-colored SUV, the television station reported.
“The deputy was yelled at … and when he went to turn, he was struck in the head,” Fauquier County Sheriff Robert P. Mosier told reporters Friday evening.
“Detectives thoroughly and vigorously investigated the allegation and determined the incident reported by the deputy was false,” officials said Saturday evening. “Immediate action has been taken and the deputy has been relieved of duty by Sheriff Mosier.”
It is unclear how Dooley was rendered unconscious.
Dooley was been relieved of his duties, WTVR reported.
A magistrate released Dooley on a $10,000 unsecured bond, WJLA reported. He will undergo a mental health evaluation at a regional facility, according to the statement from the Sheriff’s Office.
