Alex Todd

How would you respond if a deputy ripped your door open over mud flaps? On Feb. 16, 2024, a Tom Green County (TX) Sheriff’s deputy stopped a driver on narrow Moon Lane near San Angelo for mud flaps he said were too short. The deputy turned his flashing lights on near the start of the tight road (fences close to the pavement). The driver continued a short distance to a wider spot so he could pull over safely without blocking traffic, then stopped. The deputy called that “rolling,” said people who roll usually have warrants or drugs, and approached with his gun already drawn. He then yanked the driver’s door open, ordered him out, and frisked him. He claimed the driver had pot all over his pants/lap and on the edge of the seat. The driver said it was sawdust from a full day of cutting wood. No drugs were found. The driver stayed relatively calm, repeatedly asked for the reason and probable cause, and got the deputy’s name and badge info (Robertson). Equipment violations can justify a stop. Drawing a gun, forcing a door open, and escalating to a drug search over sawdust on a delayed safe pull-over is a different story. ❓What do you make of this one? ❓Is “mud flaps too short” a reasonable reason to approach with a gun drawn?