By PATRICK HALL
The Wilson Post

Richard Rogers, candidate for the Lebanon City Council Ward 1seat, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and is being held as a “fugitive from justice” in the Wilson County Jail, pending his extradition to Georgia where he faces felony charges.

According to jail officials, Rogers was arrested by the Lebanon Police Department on Wednesday and is being held without bond. Rogers on Tuesday asked voters not to vote for him in the Nov. 6 election due to “past legal issues I was recently made aware of.”

Lebanon Police Chief Scott Bowen said Rogers was recently assisted by officers when they found his car had run out of gas. Upon running his information, Bowen said officers found warrants for his arrest in Georgia.

“They are both felony charges in Georgia,” Bowen said. “We had to make sure the warrants were still active.”

Bowen said Rogers was charged in 2004, with possession of a muscle relaxer and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in Cobb County, Ga., both felonies. A bench warrant for his arrest was issued after Rogers reportedly failed to appear in court.

Despite the charges, Bowen said officials in the Cobb County District Attorney’s office said they would not extradite Rogers unless he was in Georgia, however, on Wednesday the LPD received a call from Cobb County, requesting that Rogers be arrested.

“We got a call yesterday and they said they had the paperwork and we confirmed that,” the chief said, referring to the necessary paperwork needed to extradite Rogers out-of-state.

Officers arrested Rogers Wednesday afternoon and he is being held at the county jail until Cobb County law enforcement officers come pick him up to transfer him to that county.

“They are responsible for getting him and transferring him back to Georgia,” Bowen said.

Jail officials said Rogers has a court date in Wilson County for Oct. 11.

Staff Writer Patrick Hall may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .