A Florida sheriff’s deputy is under fire online after a body camera video went viral, showing him issuing a ticket to a woman for allegedly using a cellphone with her right hand—even though she disclosed that her right arm ends at the elbow.
The incident unfolded in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, back in February when 36-year-old Kathleen Thomas was pulled over by a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. According to the officer, Thomas was supposedly holding a cellphone in her right hand.
This week, the public got a closer look as body camera footage of the encounter was released, capturing the moment when the deputy’s assumption was challenged.
In the video, the officer can be seen cautioning Thomas about the perils of distracted driving. However, Thomas chose to respond not with words but by showing her right arm, which ends at the forearm, clearly defying the deputy’s claims.
In related news, the mayor of Jacksonville has described a viral video involving police as ‘disturbing’ as the investigation continues.
Newly-released body camera video shows a woman with one hand being cited for allegedly holding a phone while driving. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office /TMX)
“So obviously not,” Thomas said, bursting into laughter in the now viral clip. “So you want to just call this a day or…?”
“I don’t want to call a day. You had a hand manipulator,” the deputy said. “I thought I saw your hand.”
MICHIGAN JUDGE BLASTS WOMAN FOR DRIVING DURING ZOOM COURT HEARING: ‘DO YOU THINK I’M THAT STUPID?’
“Well you didn’t,” Thomas replied.
The deputy then appeared to backtrack, saying, “With the right hand, perhaps not,” before continuing the stop.
GOT A TIP?
The case drew widespread attention after the driver posted video of the traffic stop on TikTok, where she questioned the deputy’s claim that he saw a device in her “right hand.” She said she does not have a right hand. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office /TMX)
WATCH: MOST OUTRAGEOUS COURTROOM MOMENTS AND POLICE ENCOUNTERS THAT WENT VIRAL IN 2024
The unnamed officer continued to insist that he saw a phone. Thomas, once again, showed her right arm. At one point during the exchange, the officer appealed to a higher power.
“Hand to God, you did not have your phone in your hand?” he was heard asking her in the video.
“Hand to God,” Thomas replied, holding up her right hand.
GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL
“Other hand to God,” the officer said, as Thomas lifted her left arm.
During the viral traffic stop, the woman, identified as Katie, has an uncomfortable interaction with a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy after he accused her of holding a phone in her right hand while driving. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office /TMX)
The awkward interaction has since exploded online, generating millions of views across Instagram, TikTok and X as users criticized the stop and questioned why the deputy continued issuing the ticket after the apparent mistake.
Sheriff’s department responds
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Palm Beach Sheriff Department’s Public Information Officer/Director of the Bureau of Public Affairs Terri Barbera said that the department is “committed to enforcing Florida traffic laws.”
Barbera said that Thomas’ citation was ultimately dismissed.
“In this particular case, the deputy initiated a traffic stop based upon his visual observation at the time of the incident. After additional review of the Florida State Statutes involved and based upon the totality of the circumstances, specifically the lack of clarity on how violations are labeled in our citation software, the decision was ultimately made to dismiss based upon the difference in wording between Florida State Statute 316.305 and 316.306,” Barbera said.
Barbera said that officers are required to make decisions “based on observations made in real time.”
“As with any enforcement action, motorists have the right to contest citations through the judicial process, where all facts and evidence can be fully evaluated.”
<!–>
–>