Photo: Moment RF
Disturbing body camera footage shows a Miami man, who claimed to be a federal immigration agent, questioning a Black police officer's national origin before he was arrested for driving under the influence and child endangerment, per Atlanta Black Star.
Scott Thomas Deiseroth, 42, was arrested in Monroe County after he was allegedly swerving into oncoming traffic while driving with two young children in the vehicle.
Deputies said Deiseroth had a strong odor of alcohol, misidentified his location, and gave an incorrect direction of travel. During the traffic stop, Deiseroth also claimed he was a federal immigration agent, saying, “I’m federal. I’m trying to get home. I got my boys with me."
Deiseroth was unable to provide any identification when asked to verify his federal status.
As authorities conducted field sobriety tests, Deiseroth began questioning a Black officer's national origin.
“Are you Haitian?” Deiseroth asked the officer.
“That’s nothing to do with my response,” the officer replied.
“It doesn’t matter where he’s from,” another officer added.
“It does,” Deiseroth responded.
While Deiseroth identified himself as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employee, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hasn't confirmed his employment. In a statement released following the arrest, DHS said the matter was under internal review.
“As the matter is currently under investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment on the arrest. However, as public servants working for a law enforcement agency, every employee at ICE is held to the highest standard of conduct. Should an investigation determine they have not adhered to those standards, it will be addressed appropriately," the statement reads.
Deiseroth is facing charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and two counts of child endangerment. His court proceedings remain ongoing.
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