Lexington County Council candidate arrested for drunkenness

Phil Yarborough, the heir apparent for a Lexington Council Council post, faces charges of public drunkenness and jaywalking.

He was arrested after being stopped by a Columbia police officer in the Five Points area in the predawn hours of Oct. 17, according to an incident report.

Yarborough is running unopposed Tuesday as the Republican candidate for the council seat in District 7 in the St. Andrews-Irmo area. He is seeking to succeed retiring GOP incumbent Brad Matthews.

“I look forward to resolving this matter expeditiously,” he said. “It’s unfortunate.”

Yarborough said he was surprised to be stopped for doing what he says dozens of other people do – crossing the street amid traffic in that area.

Yarborough was stopped after an SUV braked hard to avoid striking him as he walked into the intersection of Harden and Greene streets at 3 a.m., the incident report said.

The incident report alleged Yarborough was “observed to be grossly intoxicated,” smelling of alcoholic beverages with slurred speech and unsteady on his feet. There was no mention in the incident report of any tests given to measure possible intoxication.

Yarborough “started to become hostile” after being taken to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, the report said, and initially refused to enter a cell, placing his foot in the door to stop the door from closing until jail staff removed it.

He was later released from jail.

Yarborough, 33, is a home builder who is campaigning on revitalizing neighborhoods, holding the line on tax increases and attracting commercial development.

This story was originally published October 29, 2014 at 11:17 PM with the headline "Lexington County Council candidate arrested for drunkenness."