Richmond City Councilman E. Martin Jewell was arrested on Friday and charged with DUI, according to reports from Richmond Police.

The arrest, which occurred around 1:30AM, is the most recent of a few months of problems for the 5th District representative. Since his election in 2004, the councilman had largely enjoyed a scandal-free career; that changed when his nephew was charged in a shooting on the campus of Virginia Union University. No one was killed in that incident, but one student was wounded. Jewell stated he was shocked by the arrest which has continued to be part of the political discussion surrounding him.

Jewell did give one statement saying he would reserve commenting until further notice. No details were given about the arrest, but Jewell was released on $500 bond, likely meaning the charge is a misdemeanor. Jewell was only about a mile from his home at the time of the arrest.

Fellow members of the Richmond City Council would not comment on the arrest until further details are released. They all stated they were surprised to hear of it, however. Jewell and his attorney state they look forward to the release of those details. It is likely the charge is minimal based on the information released thus far.