Sheriff's Office Alert:
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| Fairfax County Sheriff Presents Academic Scholarship Awards to 7 Local College Students |
The VSI scholarship program is available to Virginia students who are pursuing their education in criminal justice at a school within the commonwealth. "It is such a privilege to present these young students with these scholarship awards," Sheriff Kincaid said. "Today, we honor more than their studies in the classroom of their various universities. We celebrate their potential, their courage, and their promise to use knowledge as a force for good." Arely Solis Artola will continue her junior year at George Mason University in the fall, majoring in Criminology, Law and Society, with a minor in Forensic Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. This is the third year in a row that Artola has received this scholarship for her education, helping her complete a four-year degree, moving toward her goal of joining the FBI and working in their Victim Services Division. Belleslyn Rios begins her sophomore year at George Mason University in the fall, majoring in Criminal Justice. During her high school years, Rios enrolled in criminal justice classes that allowed her to experience techniques such as investigating crime scenes and collecting fingerprints. It was these experiences that sparked the interest of this first-generation college student to pursue a criminal justice degree. Jayden Vafier will be a sophomore at Virginia Tech in the fall, majoring in Criminology with minors in Psychology and National Security/Foreign Affairs. Vafier comes from a family of public service with members serving in the military, law enforcement and health care, Magaly “Magy” Soto Valdez is passionate about pursuing a career in law enforcement. After graduating with an associate’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Northern Virginia Community College this past spring, Valdez will continue her studies in Criminology, Law and Society in the fall at George Mason University. Valdez has demonstrated leadership skills and her commitment to pursuing a career in law enforcement through completing an internship program with the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office and being involved in the Public Safety Cadet program with the Fairfax County Police Department since 2022. She participates in community events around the county deepening her understanding and appreciation of what it means to be in public service. Alexa J. Veneros expects to graduate in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Law and Society from George Mason University. As she pursues this academic goal, she is also working on an accelerated master’s degree in Criminal Justice. When she was 14 years old, Veneros joined the Customs and Border Patrol Youth Law Enforcement program, where she held several leadership positions moving through the ranks ultimately achieving the rank of chief. She also recently completed an internship program with Homeland Security Investigations where she supported investigative efforts including collecting intelligence from open-source outlets for an active federal case. She is active in the Criminology Student association as the Web Chair where she produces marketing materials for activities, internships, and other announcements ensuring the criminal justice campus community is engaged with the association and is aware of opportunities available to them. Veneros’s is excited to use her education and experience to serve others and provide meaningful contributions to the law enforcement and intelligence commu
Congratulations again to each of our scholarship awardees, and best of luck in the coming school year. Are you interested or know someone who could benefit from this scholarship? Check out the program policies for the 2026-27 school year. Applications will be due May 1, 2026.
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Read full article | June 10, 2025 | 1 | |||
| A Celebration in Education at the ADC | Education may not be one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of incarceration. However, for those serving time in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (ADC), some have the opportunity to complete their education and earn either their high school diploma or their GED. During the 2024-2025 school year, four inmates earned their high school diploma, and 13 earned their GED. Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid celebrated six of those graduates who were present June 12. “As w Educating the inmates at the ADC is a partnership between the Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, and several Fairfax County School Board members and members of the Fairfax County Public School system attended the graduation ceremony. During her keynote speech, Assistant Superintendent of the Department of School Improvement and Supports Marie Lemmon, congratulated the student inmates on their achievement. She also encouraged them to continue down this road of self-improvement. For the past 14 years, Meghean Rustia has been the education coordinator at the ADC, leading the way for these unique students to reach their educational
One graduate who left the ADC in April, wrote a letter that Rustia read at graduation. He wrote of the challenges of staying focused while in jail due to distractions both inside the jail as well as outside. Another graduate who earned his high school diploma, spoke about finding ways to apply himself to reach his educational goals. He knows education will help him create a better life for himself and to “bring honor to his family.” Walking the graduation stage and receiving a certificate is a big deal for any student. For the graduates of the ADC education program, it’s a statement of application. Using their time productively to achieve something that can help set their life toward a better path. Sheriff Kincaid closed the ceremony telling the inmate students how big this accomplishment is. “Nobody can take this away from you. Nobody.” |
Read full article | June 13, 2025 | 0 | |||
| Statement on July 2023 Custody Case |
On January 8, 2024, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a press release concerning the release of an unnamed “Honduran national” from the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. That press release, and the subsequent media reports, are blatantly false.
The “Honduran national,” was brought to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on July 18, 2023, on charges of Carnal Knowledge, Possession of Child Pornography, and Manufacturing Child Pornography. Contrary to information in the press release, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office did not charge this individual with any criminal offenses. This individual’s criminal charges were brought by another local law enforcement agency.
The individual was brought to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center at 8:45 p.m. on July 18, 2023. At that time a full check to determine the existence of any outstanding detainers or warrants was conducted. None existed. Upon being served with the criminal charges, the magistrate immediately gave this individual a $1,000 bond on each of his three charges. The individual then paid that bond and was released at 11:45 p.m. on the same day, July 18, 2023. In the three hours this individual was in the custody of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, at no time was an ICE detainer or outstanding warrant provided to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
To correct this misinformation, numerous phone calls were placed to ICE media relations. E-mails, calls, and text messages to numerous officials within ICE were sent and remain unanswered. Additionally, the above information was sent to FOX5 one hour prior to the publication of an erroneous news story and acknowledged. FOX5 chose to report ICE’s misinformation rather than recall this false story. They chose to do so despite the fact that the Sheriff’s Office provided specific information contradicting their narrative.
The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office follows all local, state, and federal laws regarding the holding of inmates on outstanding detainers and warrants and routinely works with all public safety agencies to ensure the safety of our community. |
Read full article | January 23, 2024 | 0 | |||
| Recent News | 2025 A Celebration in Education at the ADC, June 13 Fairfax County Sheriff Presents Academic Scholarship Awards to 7 Local College Students, June 10 In-Custody Death, April 1 College Scholarship for Criminal Justice Majors, March 1 2024 Deputy Sheriff Expresses Her Gratitude by Giving Back to Community, November 26 Arrest of FCSO Sergeant, September 24 In-Custody Death, September 23 Fairfax Sheriff Stacey Kincaid Welcomes Replication of Addiction Treatment and Recovery Programs, September 6 In-Custody Death, August 22 Shop with the Sheriff Brings Joy to Children Residing in Emergency Shelters, August 14. Policy Statement Concerning Treatment of Undocumented Inmates, July 25 In-Custody Death, July 10 Sheriff Kincaid Awards College Scholarship to Criminal Justice Majors, June 20 Check Out Our Deputy Sheriff Recruiting Video! 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Read full article | June 11, 2025 | /sheriff/sites/sheriff/files/Assets/images/FCSO%20patch.jpg | 0 | Top |
Emily Wells 
Nathan Windsor 
e celebrate these, it is important to remember the challenges and obstacles they have had to overcome to get to this point,” Sheriff Kincaid said. “People don’t come to jail to complete their education. But each of the graduates, as well as those who put in the time to complete courses, are making the most of their time here. I hope this success is an inspiration for them to continue to better themselves.”
goals. Speaking to the graduates and students in attendance, Rustia told them how proud she is of their accomplishments. She said jail is not the most conducive study environment and the fact that they have stayed with it, they did the work, took the tests, applied themselves, spoke volumes of what they are capable of. 
“People who come into the ADC come from all walks of life, and they generally are not here for very long, so it makes it difficult to get them to the finish line,” Rustia said. “Some may be a few classes away from completing their high school diploma, some may have difficulty completing basic scholastic applications.”