A deputy in Florida has reportedly resigned after handcuffing a pregnant Black woman during a traffic stop earlier this month that was caught on video.
Ebony Washington said she was driving home from Gainesville with her three children in the vehicle around midnight when the family was pulled over, reported News4Ajax.
Washington, who is four months pregnant, said did not pull over immediately because she wanted to find an area that was well lit. She turned on her hazards lights when she found a comfortable spot.
“It was dark and I was with my kids. I felt uncomfortable, and I didn’t want to be able to not have anyone else around,” Washington told News4Ajax.
In the body camera video, Bradford County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason DeSue sounds agitated.
“Pull the vehicle over or I’ll put you into the ground,” he said.
When Washington parks her vehicle, the deputy is seen on video getting out of his patrol vehicle and then pulls out a handgun.
“If you make a move that’ll be the last mistake you make. Do not move,” DeSue said.
In the video, Washington complies with the deputy’s command to put her hands on the vehicle, and tried to explain to the deputy why she didn’t pull over right away.
“I’m trying to tell you the only reason I didn’t stop. I’m a very educated woman. Lord knows I was only not [pulling over] because it’s dark out. I have three kids with me, and I didn’t want them to feel uncomfortable,” Washington said.
“Just shut up. I don’t care about why,” DeSue responded.
Washington was issued a speeding ticket.
DeSue has resigned from the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office since the incident.
More about the traffic stop can be found here.
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