Federal Agent Who Pulled Over Driver Works For Treasury Department

BALL GROUND, GA -- The federal agent who pulled over a motorist following a disagreement over who had the right-of-way after coming to a stop at an intersection has been identified as working for the U.S. Department of Treasury.

The Cherokee Sheriff's Office said the male subject, who is employed with the department's Atlanta Field Division, told police he "initiated the traffic stop due to another motorist failing to stop at the stop sign and almost causing (sic) an accident."

Words were exchanged between the officer and the citizen around 4 p.m. Monday after they crossed paths near the intersection of Highway 372 and Highway 369 in Ball Ground. Deputies with the sheriff's office were dispatched to meet with the citizen, who said a man in a silver Chevrolet Equinox "equipped with a single interior mounted blue light" pulled him over, the agency previously told Patch (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

In the video, the agent was wearing a blue and white striped Polo shirt, blue jeans, a badge with unidentified markings on his belt and a weapon on his hip. The motorist, who recorded the one-minute long encounter, can be heard asking the man, who kept his right hand over what appeared to be his weapon, why he pulled him over (The video, which contains adult language, can be viewed below).

The agent was wearing his department-issued badge and was also driving a government-issued vehicle with emergency warning devices. However, the male did not have other identifying credentials or documentation. He also did not identify himself to the motorist, the sheriff's office said.

Ruben Florez, special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Treasury's Atlanta Field Division, said the government was made aware of the incident involving its employee and is reviewing the case, a statement provided to the sheriff's office notes. Patch has also reached out to Florez to get an idea of what the federal agent's role with the department would be.

The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is using the encounter to inform residents that when they are being pulled over during a traffic stop, officers can either be in marked or unmarked vehicles. If you feel uncomfortable, the agency recommends slowing down to below the speed limit and signal that you are trying to find a location to pull over, "as this lets the officer know that you see them."

Drivers can also call 911, and the dispatcher will be able to verify who is conducting the traffic stop. If they are unable to do this, they will also dispatch another officer to help in the matter.

"The law enforcement officer, generally speaking, will always either be in uniform or will identify themselves to you and advise you of the agency where they work," sheriff's office spokesperson Sgt. Marianne Kelley said.

Image via Cherokee Sheriff's Office