A pregnant mother is cuffed by police as her children cry from the car
Bradford County, Florida, sheriff’s officer flashed his gun, shouted at, and handcuffed pregnant mother at traffic stop for speeding earlier this month, while her three children watched.
Body camera film shows Deputy Jacob Desue telling an African-American woman named Ebony Washington, “If you make any movement, it’ll be the last mistake you’ll ever make,” This happened after Washington stopped her car and Desue drew out his handgun.
Desue, who had been a deputy for less than two years before this occurrence, has resigned.
Washington, who was almost 20 miles per hour over the speed limit of 55 mph on August 12, was driving with her three children (ages 10, 7, and 1) and was four months pregnant when Desue tried to pull her over.
Washington’s bodycam caught their conversation, which was later released to the public. Washington allegedly did not pull over immediately, but instead turned on her hazards.
“Pull the vehicle over or I’ll put you into the ground,” Police shouted When Washington finally pulled over at a gas station, Desue drew his revolver and ordered her to exit the vehicle.
“Turn off the vehicle right now,” he screams, threatening to shoot her if she moves. “I want to see your hands-both your hands. Do not move!”
In a cellphone video recorded by one of her children and posted on Facebook, Washington claims she did not stop because they were in the middle of nowhere.
A toddler can be heard screaming “Mommy” as Washington is being handcuffed by police. Desue is seen on the body cam telling Washington that her explanation “means nothing.”
“All of that is shady, and that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing right now,” he says. “I understand there’s a whole facade around law enforcement, traffic stops. But you being scared is what’s got you in this mess right now.”
Desue finally let Washington go after issuing a citation to her. In an interview with KAIT 9, Washington said she was afraid for her life. “Had I done any type of movement outside of what he asked me to do, that could’ve been the opportunity for him to pull the trigger,” Washington claimed.
The local CBS affiliate learned from the sheriff’s office that Desue had been disciplined multiple times in the past. After reviewing the footage, the sheriff’s office determined that the officer was in violation of agency policy.
Desue will learn whether he can keep his certification from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.