HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — A special prosecutor was appointed to handle the case against Henrico School Board member Roscoe Cooper III.
Virginia State Police arrested the 43-year-old Fairfield District representative early Saturday morning for driving under the influence.
“In the matter of Commonwealth v. Roscoe D. Cooper, III, this Office requested that a special prosecutor be appointed to the case,” a Henrico Commonwealth Attorney’s Office spokesperson said. “The Circuit Court appointed Richard Cox, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Powhatan County, to handle the matter.”
Virginia State Troopers pulled Cooper over at about 1 a.m. on Aug.5 along Interstate 64 west, near Gaskins Road, in Henrico. Troopers said Cooper was riding in between two lanes.
Henrico school leaders issued a statement following Cooper’s arrest:
Board members are aware of Mr. Cooper`s personal situation. We`ll be better able to respond once more details are available. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cooper family at this time.
In addition to his role as a Henrico School Board member, Cooper is also pastor of Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church in eastern Henrico.
This is a developing story. Witnesses can email news tips and photos here.