Alexandria Man Sues After Deputy Asks For ID In Stafford County

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA—An African-American man from Alexandria is suing a Stafford County sheriff's deputy in federal court for the demand to show ID when he was pulled aside addressing car troubles.

George Wingate alleges his the deputy violated his rights against unreasonable searches, seizures and arrest for the April 14, 2017 incident, WTOP reported. He is also claiming false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and false arrest.

Attorneys say Wingate pulled over when his check engine light went on. The deputy pulled up and asked for help. During part of the exchange, recorded on a dashboard camera and released on Youtube by Wingate's attorneys, the deputy asked for Wingate's ID. When asked if Wingate committed a crime and was being detained, the deputy said no.

"If I'm not being detained, then I'm free to go," Wingate can be heard saying in the video.

"Not until you identify yourself," said the deputy.

"Mr. Wingate was aware of his rights," stated his attorneys, according to WTOP. "He was also aware that he was an African-American man being wrongfully required to identify himself to a white deputy who had confirmed to him that he had done nothing wrong and was suspected of having done anything wrong."

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At one point, the deputy said Wingate was commiting a crime by not providing ID. When asked again to identify himself, Wingate responded, "It doesn't matter."

The deputy and another responding to the scene demanded Wingate put his hands behind his back. Wingate ran, which appeared to be cut from the YouTube video. He was arrested soon after.

Wingate was charged with failure to provide ID to a law enforcement officer, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest and possessing another person’s car title. In July 2017, prosecutors dropped the charges.

The lawyers say "the deputy’s actions and their consequences exemplify the risks of driving while black."

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office and deputy told WTOP they could not comment at this time.

Watch the video showing portions of the interaction below.

Image via Youtube screengrab