A drifter passing through South Texas made a scene during a traffic stop, pulling his pants down and throwing a “joint” at an officer.
Freddy Espinoza Jr. was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated with an open container, resisting arrest, evading arrest with a vehicle and obstruction/retaliation, according to a statement released by the Aransas Pass Police Department.
Espinoza was initially stopped by APPD Sergeant Travis Baker around 10 PM on Monday, though he made an attempt to run before pulling over.
When Baker ordered Espinoza to remain in the vehicle and show his hands, the irate driver threw up two middle fingers, prompting Baker to call for backup.
Espinoza exited his vehicle with arms outstretched, cursing at the officer as he approached him.
Not one to be disrespected and focused on officer safety, Baker drew his Taser and kept it trained on Espinoza for over three minutes.
“Based on continued de-escalation training and tactics, Sgt. Baker worked to minimize the potential for a violent confrontation between (the driver) and himself,” APPD Chief Eric Blanchard said in a press release obtained by the Caller Times. “A one-on-one confrontation under circumstances like this would surely have (led) to serious injuries to (the suspect) and even possibly Sgt. Baker.”
Espinoza dropped his pants and explained he only had a joint, throwing both the marijuana and a wad of cash at Baker.
Eventually, Baker’s back up arrived and cuffed the driver, who were subjected to Espinoza’s foul mouth throughout the encounter.
Chief Blanchard released the footage mere days after the incident.
“My purpose of sharing this event and video with you is to help illustrate the level of skilled, trained tolerance and risk my staff endures daily. Aransas Pass is fortunate to have some of the best and brightest in the business working for them each and every day,” Blanchard said. “It’s not an easy job, especially when you have to set aside internal emotions that tend to get the best of you while enduring high levels of berating, threats, and ridicule as Sgt. Baker did during this situation.”
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