Former Virginia candidate Susanna Gibson Payne faces domestic assault charge

In a startling development, Susanna Gibson Payne, a former Virginia Democratic candidate, has been arrested on charges of assault and battery against a family member during a heated divorce dispute.

This arrest marks the latest chapter in a series of legal and personal challenges for Gibson Payne, involving her estranged husband, John David Gibson, and past public controversies, as The Daily Caller reports.

Gibson Payne first entered the public eye during her 2023 campaign for a legislative seat in Virginia, aiming to represent her district with a progressive platform.

Political Ambitions Derailed by Online Scandal

Her political journey took a dramatic turn when explicit videos of her surfaced online, originally shared on the platform Chaturbate, sparking widespread criticism.

The controversy surrounding these videos severely impacted her campaign, ultimately leading to a narrow defeat in the 2023 election.

After the loss, she redirected her energy into advocacy, establishing MyOwn Image, a group focused on pushing for stronger online privacy protections.

Personal Life Entangled in Legal Conflicts

By late 2024, Gibson Payne’s personal life became a source of further turmoil as her marriage to John David Gibson, an attorney, deteriorated.

In December 2024, her estranged husband faced multiple arrests on charges including violating a protective order, extortion, and using threatening language.

In response to these incidents, Gibson Payne secured a protective order against him in January 2025, alleging family abuse as the reason for seeking legal protection.

Custody Exchange Leads to Assault Allegation

The situation escalated further in June 2025 during a custody exchange, an event that would lead to the most recent legal action against her.

John David Gibson filed a complaint accusing her of assault and battery involving a family member, resulting in a misdemeanor warrant for her arrest.

On September 22, 2025, Gibson Payne surrendered to authorities in Henrico County, complying immediately with the legal process after the warrant was issued.

Claims of Retaliation Amid Divorce Battle

Gibson Payne has vehemently denied the allegations, describing the complaint as a retaliatory tactic by her estranged husband amid their ongoing divorce.

“After my estranged husband, arrested three times since I filed for divorce, assaulted me during a June 2025 custody exchange while I protected our son, he filed a retaliatory criminal complaint against me,” she explained to the New York Post.

“More than three months later, police issued a misdemeanor warrant for my arrest. I turned myself in immediately,” she added, emphasizing her cooperation with law enforcement.

Advocacy for Systemic Change Continues

Beyond her personal struggles, Gibson Payne remains vocal about broader issues, particularly the treatment of abuse survivors within the justice system.

“Survivors deserve a justice system that recognizes abuse dynamics and protects our safety, not one that allows abusers to weaponize the law as continued control,” she stated, as reported by Politico.

Her current work with MyOwn Image reflects a commitment to addressing these systemic flaws, advocating for reforms that could prevent others from facing similar legal challenges.

Navigating Public and Private Challenges

The combination of her past political scandal and current legal entanglements paints a complex portrait of Gibson Payne’s life over recent years.

Her arrest on assault charges, coupled with the protective order against her husband, underscores the intense personal conflicts she faces during this period.

Despite these setbacks, her focus on advocacy suggests a determination to turn personal adversity into a broader fight for change in privacy and legal protections.