Accused by Alexandria sheriff's deputies of unjustified detainment, a candidate for Congress asserts wrongful imprisonment.

In a shocking turn of events, Democratic candidate Frank Ferreira, seeking the nomination to challenge Rep. Don Beyer in Virginia's 8th Congressional District, has alleged constitutional rights violations during his arrest by Alexandria Sheriff's Office deputies on August 18, 2023.

Ferreira, who has provided over 120 press releases since announcing his candidacy, claims he was arrested for obstruction after requesting to speak with Sheriff Sean Casey during the eviction process. He maintains that multiple constitutional violations occurred during his arrest, including the denial of his Miranda rights until after transport to the detention center, the refusal to allow him to speak with an attorney, the refusal to acknowledge his documentation of a pending court appeal, and the placement of his belongings on the street during the eviction.

Following his release with no criminal record, Ferreira has expressed concern that the arrest could impact his candidacy and potential business opportunities. He has also requested a full investigation, an apology, the release of body camera footage, and compensation for what he terms "gross violations of my constitutional rights."

In a series of emails to Sheriff's Office leadership, Ferreira indicated he was unable to find shelter and was seeking assistance from St. Mary's Cathedral. He later detailed his experiences being homeless since the eviction in a press release sent at 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office has stated they are taking the allegations seriously and are conducting a comprehensive investigation regarding this incident. However, there is no information in the provided search results about the sheriff of Alexandria being involved with Ferreira's constitutional rights violations during his arrest or any subsequent investigation.

Political analysts rate the 8th District, which includes Alexandria and parts of Arlington and Fairfax counties, as safely Democratic, making the Democratic primary the determining contest. Ferreira's arrest has added an unexpected twist to the race, with former Alexandria City Councilman Mohamed "Mo" Seifeldein announcing his own bid for the seat last week, making it a three-way Democratic primary race.

In response to the allegations, Ferreira has launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking assistance with employment and housing. He urges supporters to stand with him in his fight for justice and to help him continue his campaign for Virginia's 8th Congressional District.