Trooper Off Force After 2019 Fairfax Traffic Stop Of Black Man

MCLEAN, VA — A Virginia state trooper who faced backlash for his conduct during the 2019 traffic stop of a Black driver in Fairfax County is no longer with Virginia State Police.

A Virginia State Police spokesperson confirmed to the Washington Post that Charles Hewitt no longer works for state police. He had been placed on administrative leave in 2020 and faced a criminal investigation after video of the traffic stop emerged on social media.

Erlich Law Office, the legal representation for the driver, Derrick Thompson of Woodbridge, indicated a settlement was reached. Lawyer Joshua Erlich told the Post that Thompson is happy with the result, a monetary settlement and word that Hewitt is off the force.

Video of the April 20, 2019 traffic stop by Hewitt emerged on social media in 2020. The traffic stop was attributed to an expired inspection decal, but state police said there was a strong odor of marijuana from Thompson's vehicle and he was driving on a suspended driver's license. State police claimed Thompson refused to comply with repeated requests to get out of his vehicle, and 10 minutes later Hewitt told Thompson he was under arrest. As Thompson refused to leave the vehicle, Hewitt forcibly removed Thompson from the vehicle.

Thompson's own video showed part of the encounter with Hewitt. The video began with Hewitt unlocking and opening the driver's side door of Thompson's vehicle.

"Take a look at me. I'm a f------ specimen right here buddy," Hewitt can be heard saying in the video. "You have gotten on my last nerve, alright? You are gonna get your a-- whooped in front of f--- lord and all creation."

Thompson repeatedly said he felt unsafe, had his hands up and was not threatening the officer. He also claimed he was unlawfully detained.

Hewitt went on to say he was giving Thompson a chance to get out of the vehicle, and he could even record the encounter. Thompson responds in the video, saying he was threatened by a law enforcement officer and that two officers were standing by. Hewitt tells Thompson he is under arrest for disobeying a law enforcement officer.

Then Hewitt pointed at the camera and said "watch the show" as he grabbed Thompson by the neck and pulls him out.

The video's audio continued even as Thompson is taken out of the vehicle.
"How do you like that motherf-----?" Hewitt was heard saying.

Thompson repeated, "my hands are behind my back," "I am not resisting" "get off my neck" and "you are harming me" before the video cut out.

The full video and story is available from the Washington Post.