BY DALE LIESCH
THE TIDEWATER NEWS

Paul Phelps, a captain with Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office and the son of Isle of Wight Sheriff C.W. “Charlie” Phelps, has been indicted for allegedly knowing a convicted felon illegally possessed a weapon.

The felon, Jonathan Burns, also was indicted on related charges.

Both made initial appearances before a magistrate at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail on Monday.

The charges are related to a Virginia State Police investigation of Burns, a four-time convicted felon who volunteered in the sheriff’s office. Married to Paul Phelps’ stepdaughter, Burns apparently wore a uniform and badge, participated in some arrests and carried a Taser, an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to subdue suspects.

After serving as a volunteer, Burns was hired in March 2010 in a support capacity, but he has since been terminated.

Sheriff Phelps said Friday he’d never seen Burns with a Taser, but understood that his son and a major in the sheriff’s office had discussed the legality of Burns possessing one. Burns was told “to keep his hands off it,” Sheriff Phelps said.

Paul Phelps was released on $10,000 bond. He remains on the job with limited administrative duties and full pay and benefits.