Florida deputy tickets driver for using phone with arm that ends at elbow
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A sheriff’s deputy in Florida is facing intense online backlash after viral body camera video caught him double-crossing and ticketing a woman for using a phone in her right hand, even after revealing her right arm was resting on her elbow.
The roadside hiccup happened in February in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, when a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy pulled 36-year-old Kathleen Thomas over. The officer insisted he was holding a cell phone in his right hand.
But body camera footage released this week shows the moment the MP’s case broke.
Thomas didn’t even bother to argue when the officer began lecturing him about the dangers of distracted driving. Instead, he showed off his right arm, which ended at the forearm.
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Newly released body camera video shows a woman allegedly holding a phone with one hand while driving. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office /TMX)
“Of course not,” Thomas said, bursting into laughter in the now-viral clip. “So do you want to end this one day or…?”
“I don’t want to call even a day. You had a hand manipulator,” the deputy said. “I thought I saw your hand.”
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“Well, you didn’t,” Thomas replied.
The MP then stepped back, saying “Maybe not with his right hand” before continuing to stand.
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The case gained widespread attention after the driver posted video of the traffic stop on TikTok and questioned the deputy’s claim that he saw a device in his “right hand.” He said he had no right hand. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office /TMX)
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The unnamed police officer continued to insist that he saw a phone call. Thomas once again showed his right arm. At some point during the exchange, the officer invoked higher authority.
“For God’s sake, didn’t you have your phone in your hand?” he is heard asking her this question in the video.
“Reach out to God,” replied Thomas, raising his right hand.
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“On the other hand, thank God,” the officer said as Thomas lifted his left arm.
During the viral traffic stop, the woman identified as Katie has an uncomfortable interaction after a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy accused her of holding a phone in her right hand while driving. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office /TMX)
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The strange interaction has since exploded online, sparking millions of views on Instagram, TikTok and X, as users criticized the stop and questioned why the deputy continued issuing tickets after the apparent mistake.
Sheriff’s department responds
Palm Beach Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer/Public Affairs Bureau Director Terri Barbera said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the department is “committed to enforcing Florida traffic laws.”
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Thomas’ citation was ultimately dismissed, Barbera said.
“In this particular case, the deputy initiated the traffic stop based on his visual observation at the time of the incident. After additional review of the applicable Florida State Statutes and based on the totality of the circumstances, specifically the lack of clarity regarding how violations are tagged in our citation software, the decision to dismiss was ultimately granted based on the difference in wording between Florida State Statutes 316.305 and 316.306,” Barbera said. he said.
Barbera said officers must make decisions “based on observations made in real time.”
“As with any enforcement action, drivers have the right to challenge citations through the judicial process where all facts and evidence can be fully evaluated.”
