Around 2:50 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, Salem Mayor Randy Foley was arrested and charged with public intoxication by Roanoke College campus security.

Now in his third term on the Salem City Council, it’s been reported that Foley was at a friend’s house and was stopped while walking through the college to his house.

Mayor Foley released the following statement in response to the situation: “After an evening at a friend’s house celebrating my alma mater’s football win and other events, I realized that I should not drive home from the gathering.  I chose to walk home and take the shortest route, which goes right through the Roanoke College campus. While walking through the campus, I encountered a Roanoke College security officer who was doing his job. I deeply regret my decisions that evening and profusely apologize to my family, friends, City Council colleagues and the citizens of Salem.”

Salem City Manager Kevin Boggess added: “Obviously, I was both surprised and disappointed when I was advised on his arrest. The Mayor has apologized to me and the other members of Council and he has expressed his regret for putting his family and the citizens of Salem in this embarrassing position. Randy has been a tremendous Council member and Mayor and we hope we can move forward as soon as possible.”