A local man was issued two warnings, police said, following a traffic stop in Winfield Sunday that led to attention and discussion on social media.
Rudy Samuel went live on Facebook during the stop, which he told viewers began when he was pulled over for a turn signal violation. As of Wednesday, the video had garnered more than 16,000 views.
Samuel questioned police about the validity of the stop and their decision to search his car. An officer told Samuel he was being detained so the search could take place.
Justification for the search, the officer said in the video, was “vegetation” that could be seen on the window sill of Samuel’s car. Samuel described the vegetation as simply “tree stuff.”
Winfield Police Chief Brett Stone told NewsCow-KSOK that two warnings were issued as a result of the stop. No drugs were found and no case was formally opened.
Samuel was not arrested.
Stone said he would be reviewing the details of the stop.
On Facebook, Samuel said he believed the search should not have happened and that police should not have reached in the car to power off his phone.
You can view the video here. WARNING: Some bad language can be heard.
