Police Release Bodycam Footage to Dispute Teen's Claim She Escaped DUI and Is Going on Date With Officer
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office released footage on April 4 to dispute a video circulating online in which a woman claims she blew a 3.8 blood alcohol count but was let off by a deputy with whom she claimed she’d set up a date.
In the footage, the woman is first seen drinking from a bottle, before doing gymnastics in a corridor. The footage then shows her talking to the camera, claiming that the deputy let her off with a warning, gave her his phone number, and that the two were to have lunch the next day.
“We also have a video that disputes her claims,” the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said.
“At 4:41 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, Deputy Stahl stopped a vehicle for weaving near the intersection of [West] Bowles and [South] Holland,” police said.
“The 18-year-old female from the aforementioned video was driving and was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The deputy’s body worn camera video captures his entire contact with her, including the reason he stopped her. When he asked if she had been drinking, she said ‘no.’ She also did not slur her speech, nor did the deputy smell alcohol on her or witness any other physical signs of intoxication. There was no evidence of alcohol in the vehicle. Therefore, he did not conduct any tests for DUI, including administering a breathalyzer.
“Instead, the deputy cleared her name for any warrants, verified the vehicle’s license plate which came back clear, and issued the driver a warning for weaving. Prior to releasing the driver, in compliance with Colorado law, the deputy handed her a business card upon which he had written his name, badge number, and ‘South’ for our South Precinct. He also wrote ‘LNR Weaving’ for Lecture and Release. Nowhere on the card was the deputy’s phone number.
“We appreciate the public’s interest in ensuring our deputy acted appropriately and we assure you, he did.”
Denver7 reported that it had interviewed the woman, who did not want to show her face, but was quoted as saying, “I’m not gonna lie to the news… I’ve already lied enough, but I was intoxicated,” and also, “I thought I was being funny. I was like, ‘Oh my God, look at me. I just got out. I’m surprised I didn’t get arrested!’ but I’m so deeply sorry.’” Credit: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office via Storyful
Video Transcript
- Hello. - Hi. - My name's Deputy Stahl, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. I pulled you over because you're weaving a little bit back there. Where are you coming from? - I was coming from my friend's house, I actually just got dumped. - OK. - I was like crying and like I'm really-- - OK. Were you on your phone and stuff, too? - I was trying to call and get a hold of him because my heart hurts so bad. - OK, well I'm just concerned that you were weaving because of alcohol. But if you're on your phone. Have you been drinking or anything tonight? No? OK. Do you have your license, your registration, your proof of insurance? - So, I have my registration and my license. I'm driving my mom's car. I bought it off of her. I don't know her insurance. - Whats your Mom's name? - Lindsay Ramirez. - OK, do you think she's awake? It's almost 5 o'clock. - She lives in California. - OK, she doesn't have the insurance anywhere in the vehicle, to your knowledge? - I don't think so, officer. OK, here's the-- - Registration. And do you have your driver's license? - Yeah. Finally got it printed. - Perfect, all right. Give me just a few minutes, I'll be right back with you. Maybe text your mom or something, and see if you can get that proof of insurance. Because I just need to make sure the vehicle is insured, OK? It's a little cold outside, if you want you can roll the window up. Just stay in the vehicle for me, OK. [NO AUDIO] - No longer. [NO AUDIO] - No longer muted. - Were you able to find anything? No? OK, all right. - No longer muted. - So I'm not going to worry about any of that. Sounds like you're having a rough night, so I'm not going to add to that by writing you a ticket or anything, OK? So, I'm just going to give you a warning, it's not a big deal. I just want to make sure you're OK. You were waving a little bit, and I just want to make sure you're OK to operate the motor vehicle, and I believe you are. So my information's right here on the front. The reason I stopped you here is on the back. Wherever you're headed, get there safely. I'm sorry you're having a bad night. - Yeah, I'm just right down the street, I'm sorry. - OK. No, you're fine, yeah, no, you don't need to apologize. I mean, you were waving a little bit with no traffic out. I just want to make sure you're OK, that's all. Sounds like you're having a rough night, but all things considered, everything will be all right. All right, so the day can only get better from here. You're not getting a ticket on top of it, right? - Thank you. Bless your soul. - Get to where you're going safely, and have a-- try and have a better night, OK? All right. - I'm just right down the street. - Perfect, OK, sounds good. Have a good night. - Thank you so much. - Yep. [NO AUDIO]
