Man Wanted For Skipping Court Date Arrested At Fredericksburg Playground

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A 26-year-old man already facing a potential prison sentence on a drug charge in Prince Willian County may have an additional drug charge stemming from a late-night arrest at a Fredericksburg playground, according to the Fredericksburg Police Department.

An officer was patrolling around 1:53 a.m., on June 11, near the W.L. Harris Playground when he noticed a man sitting on a bench under the pavilion. Knowing that the playground was closed, the officer approached the man and asked him what was he doing there, according to the incident report.

The man began to walk away from the approaching officer, who called out, “Police. Stop.” Quickening his pace, the man tried to evade the officer, but he was detained by another officer who had been patrolling the area, according to police.

A search of the suspect yielded a white plastic bag that contained drug paraphernalia and a white powdered substance, according to police. After confirming that the man was wanted on active warrants out of Prince William County, the officers arrested 26-year-old Jordan Ryan of Ruther Glen.

Ryan was charged with trespassing after being forbidden to do so, according to police. He was also served with the outstanding warrants. Additional charges are pending lab results. He was then released on his own recognizance.

Ryan was arraigned Thursday morning in Fredericksburg General District Court and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 24, according to court records.

The trespassing charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500, according to the Code of Virginia.

Ryan was wanted for failing to appear at a May 6 hearing in Prince William General District Court, according to court documents. He had been arrested on July 14, 2024 on a Class 5 felony charge of the possession of a schedule 1 or 11 drug and a Class 1 misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice and resisting arrest with force, according to court records.

If convicted of the possession charge in the Prince William County case, Ryan faces a potential sentence of one to 10 years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, under the Code of Virginia.