Mayor of Metolius arrested on assault charge

The mayor of the small town of Metolius, just south of Madras, was arrested Sunday.

Mayor John Chavez was arrested Sunday evening after the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said he got in a fight with his brother, Richard Chavez.

According to Sheriff Jim Adkins, police were called to John Chavez’s home around 8:30 p.m. Sunday regarding a domestic dispute.

The police report says John Chavez and his brother got into an argument when Richard wouldn’t leave John’s property. John allegedly hit Richard, whose eye was swollen shut when police arrived. Both men acknowledged alcohol was involved in the dispute.

The mayor was booked into the Jefferson County Jail. On Monday, he was arraigned on charges of fourth-degree assault and harassment. Richard Chavez was not arrested.

Mayor Chavez’s arrest is not cause for dismissal, according to the city charter. But the mayor is up for re-election in the community of 750 later this year.