There's illegal aliens, there's [ __ ] going on. The world's going to [ __ ] and you're going to [ __ ] with me. >> You're under arrest. >> Why? For what reason? A tail light? >> 2030. >> Oh god. For real? >> March 27, 2021, North Port, Florida. What should have been a routine 5-minute traffic stop turns into an hour-long standoff and by the end of it the driver gets four separate misdemeanor charges all because he simply refused to keep his mouth shut. >> [snorts] >> How you doing? >> Good, ma'am. How are you? >> Good. >> What seems to be the problem? >> Um do you have your license, registration, insurance on you? >> What seems to be the problem? >> You got a headlight out, a tail light out, no tag light. I understand it's an old truck, but you got your license, registration, insurance? >> It might just be a switch or something, you know? >> Okay, that's fine. Get your license, registration, insurance? >> No. >> You don't? >> No. >> Oh, did you leave it? You don't have one? What's going on? >> truck, man. >> Okay. Do you Is there a registration or a insurance card for the truck? >> It's from Texas. It's my friend from Texas. >> Okay, but that doesn't answer my question. >> I don't have any paperwork, man. >> Why not? >> Within the first minute the warning signs are already piling up. Robert Eugene Darnell may have produced a driver's license, but everything tying him to that truck is missing and the longer the stop continues the more complicated things are about to become. >> Whatever. >> Okay. >> He gave you know he said use the truck and I'm using the truck and he didn't give me no paperwork. He didn't say you're you're here's my truck you know here's some paperwork. >> Well, typically the paperwork is kept in a vehicle, okay? And then second of all, whenever you're in actual physical control of a vehicle that you're driving you're supposed to be make sure that you have all the proper paperwork for it. >> Well, I think I'm I'm being honest. I'm not lying to you. >> I'm not I'm not saying that you are. I'm just letting you know that I know it's not your truck, but when you're driving a vehicle you're supposed to have all the paperwork too. It's your responsibility to make sure you have that. Give me just a second. I'll be right back with you. So, I'm going to have it towed because I don't have a registration for it. He said, "Okay, well, put it back in the car." Hey, Robert. Robert. >> Yes. >> Um do me a favor. Just step out here. I'm just going to have a conversation with you, okay? >> Am I under arrest? >> No, you're not under arrest. >> stepping out then. If I'm not under arrest, I don't need to step out of the vehicle. What do you want me stepping out of the vehicle for? >> Well, because I'm going to tow the car cuz it hasn't been registered in 10 years. So, I'm trying to be civil with you and asking you to step out. >> That claim is actually the first of several bold, confident legal statements Robert makes that just aren't accurate. Under Pennsylvania v. Mimms, an officer can require a driver to step out during a lawful traffic stop, arrest or not. If you like watching people confidently argue the law and see it backfire, hit subscribe now because Robert's just getting started and it only gets better from here. >> So, I can talk to you and then we can try to get you a ride. So, I'm asking you to step out of the car. >> They want They want to be to step out of the vehicle so they can impound the vehicle. So, they can make money. You're going to make money for what? >> You're going to make money off this. >> This car has not been registered in 10 years, sir. You have no registration for it and no insurance card. So, I'm going to ask you one more time to step out of the car. >> If If I don't step out of the car, there's going to be hell to pay on this mother. >> This is a good moment to flag the actual law behind all of this. Florida Statute 320.07 treats registration that's expired more than 6 months as a criminal matter, not just a regular ticket. >> I've been very nice with you. You've been nothing but attitude-y since since I pulled you over. >> ruined my night. >> Step out of the car. >> I supposed to I'm supposed to like this? You're going to tow my truck away. I'm supposed TO BE OKAY WITH THIS? I'm supposed to be like, "Oh, hey, let's be best friends." >> Come over here. >> Cuz she towed my truck away. >> Come >> over here. I'm not putting you in the car. >> [clears throat] >> I'm just asking you to step off the road. >> You know it's [ __ ] I'm getting my keys out. >> All right. >> This is [ __ ] You girls ain't got nothing better to do than harass people that are really breaking the law? >> Can you get off the road, sir? >> I'm not breaking any goddamn law. >> Do you have any rides to get you back where you need to be? >> that. Just me over, okay? Thank you very much. I'M FROM SARASOTA. I COME TO YOUR CITY to spend money. Thank you. Is that how you treat people that come to your city? >> registered, sir? >> Thank you, Port Charlotte. >> North Port. >> Whatever. You guys you guys >> Your car's not registered. >> Oh, it is too registered. That's [ __ ] >> To who? >> It's in Texas. Pull the registration up. It's not registered in Florida. Doesn't have to be. >> Do you have your registration? >> It's registered in Texas. It's registered in Texas. You pull that record on that Texas plate, you'll find out it's registered. No, this is [ __ ] They made me get out of the vehicle and none of your told the truck away. >> Who's that truck registered to? >> They don't need to have tags. In Texas, IT'S DIFFERENT LAWS. YOU RUN THAT PLATE right now, you'll find out it's registered. >> We ran it twice. We ran it through ourselves and through our dispatch. They let us know that it has not been registered in 10 years. >> The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing while expecting a different result, and Robert is quickly becoming a textbook example. He seems convinced that if he screams Texas law is different and calls the stop [ __ ] times, the officer will eventually agree. There is just one problem. Texas nor Florida law does not make a decade-old expired registration legal, either. >> I like this [ __ ] troll, and you are only making it worse. No, I want a goddamn manager right now. Better [ __ ] call a manager. I hate you. I hate cops. You guys got a bad rap for a good reason. >> Well, I'm going to ask you what you want me to do with this thing, okay? >> Out of money. >> Thank you for all your assistance to the hospital. >> That bad rap comment is a pretty telling moment because at this point no officer has raised their voice, touched him, or done anything beyond calmly explaining the same registration issue over and over again. >> I want a manager. >> Call Barry. >> I want a goddamn sergeant manager. >> Or a watch commander one. 10-4, so 3 and we're 19. 41 and 10-A-3, 10-20. >> I didn't fight nobody. I didn't hurt anybody. >> Oh, let's go. >> Over my dead body. >> Listen to me. I don't know why you are so upset, okay? >> going to This is going to cost me money. >> If you can listen to what I'm telling you, maybe you'll understand the law. >> Oh, this is going to cost me money. >> Okay. >> To be fair to Robert here, the financial concern itself is genuinely reasonable. Impound and storage fees do add up fast and he isn't a local. >> If you're not going to listen to what I have to say, then I don't know what to tell you, okay? >> I'm asking you to be nice to me. I will pull it off the road. >> This truck has not been registered or renewed in 10 years. >> Well, wouldn't it hurt you IF I PULLED IT OFF THE ROAD? >> YOU CAN'T SHOW ME ANY PROOF. >> you going to do this to me? >> And you And you can't show me any proof of of insurance. >> Dude, why do I get pulled over? >> motor vehicle. >> You're messing with me. I didn't mess with you. >> I'm not messing with you. >> YOU PICKED A FIGHT I DIDN'T. >> HEADLIGHTS. No tail lights. And you You've got no No, they don't. >> I can turn THEM ON RIGHT NOW. BOTH OF THEM WORK. >> I NEED YOU to step over to the sidewalk, please. >> No way, dude. Nope. Like I said, >> I need you to step over to the sidewalk, >> I will stand right here until a sergeant gets here. >> This is actually where Robert makes his most repeated claim that he has a right to have a sergeant present and refuses to cooperate until one arrives. It's a claim that keeps getting corrected, but he never really lets go of. >> I have one on the way. >> Good. >> But you're not driving the truck right now. >> well, I have to have it your choice. >> It is my choice. >> No, it ain't. >> It is. >> Oh, it's your arrest? >> Yeah, and I'm not arresting anybody. >> You're going to tell it me what you're going to do and I'm going to like it, right? >> You don't have to like it, no. >> Okay, well, then I don't. >> But this is what's happening. >> I'm not going to be happy and go down happily about this. >> I'm not asking you to be happy, but you should have had your truck registered. >> You want me to submit to this [ __ ] and I'm not going to. I can take it right off the road right there. There's no reason TO TOW MY TRUCK AWAY. DONE. >> Do you do drugs or anything? >> Ma'am, do you? >> I'm just wondering why >> I'm just wondering, too. Do you? >> I need you to step over to the sidewalk, please. >> No. >> Do you want to go to jail for obstruction? >> Obstruction of what? You tow my truck away? >> Yes. >> I told you I don't want to listen to you cuz I don't trust you. I don't trust her. I don't trust him. I will trust a sergeant. When a sergeant GETS HERE, A SERGEANT CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE. UNTIL THEN, I AM NOT doing anything. >> Okay. I'm asking you to step over to the sidewalk. When the sergeant gets here, they can explain to you what's going on. >> going to tase me? Are you going to tase me now? >> No, not unless you give me a reason to. >> You going to kill me? You going to shoot me? What? You're going to keep pushing your demands on me? >> Not unless you give me a reason to. >> Your demands have been get the [ __ ] out of the truck, step to the side, we're towing your car away. Those are the demands. They are NOT CIVIL DEMANDS. >> Robert consistently treats basic calm instructions as if they're the opening move of something far more serious. >> Your car is unregistered. >> THAT IS NOT CIVIL. >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT you're saying. You're yelling AT ME. >> TOWING MY TRUCK RIGHT OVER THERE, BUT YOU WON'T LET ME. >> motor vehicle. You can't show me >> You won't let this guy tow my truck away and put it in a salvage yard, and I WILL HAVE TO PAY HIM TO GET IT OUT. >> YES. >> OH, WELL, THEN WE HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING about this. You're going to try to screw me out of money. >> I'm glad that we do. What's going on? >> What can I say, sir? >> That one. We got a woman here that pulled me over for me driving an old truck. She pulled me over for driving an old truck that wasn't mine. >> Okay. >> Okay, I'm just I was in a good mood all up to this point. >> Have you been harassed by us? >> I have not been harassed by your Charlotte Police Department or whatever you guys are. No, I'm just telling you straight up. I've had issues with you guys, and you guys aren't my friends. And I'm going to tell you right now, she's not nice. Because if she was nice, she would just give me a warning to let me go, and let me pull my truck into private property. But instead, she insists on having a tow truck tow my truck. Listen, man, I am not happy with this. I live far away, and I'm not prepared to pay >> Robert is no longer just disputing the law. He is tattling that the officers are not being nice. Apparently, in his version of events, kindness means ignoring the expired registration and letting him drive the truck home anyway. At this point, he sounds less like a driver with a valid argument and more like a toddler furious that the adults told him no. How do you think the officers have handled this so far? Let us know in the comments. >> 100% not registered. >> In Texas, it's not registered? >> It's expired 10 years. >> In Texas? >> Out of Texas. >> Out of Texas. The computer goes back and says it's expired. >> Yes. >> What's the exact What's the exact date? >> 2011. It's been expired since. >> 3/11/2011. So, it's >> God damn it! This is [ __ ] >> Copy. So, what you're going to need to do is work on a ride, okay? Cuz you cannot drive this vehicle on the roadway. >> I will push it off this road. >> Well, it's going to get towed off this road. >> WHY DO YOU GOT CAN'T YOU LET ME PUSH IT? >> NO. >> WHY? >> Because then if we leave and you come back and you remove the vehicle and get in a motor vehicle accident, I lose my job. >> You guys are going to You guys are going to mess with my life to do this to me? Yes, you are. >> No, we're not. >> It's not ON THE ROAD. THIS IS THE ROAD RIGHT HERE. >> IT WAS observed on the roadway. It was >> off This is THE ACCESS. I'M BROKE, MAN. MY LIFE SUCKS. YOU'RE MAKING IT WORSE. >> OKAY, I understand that, sir, but >> No, you don't. >> All we're doing is We're We're just just cover the mess up, clean the mess up. >> We're enforcing a thing called Florida State Statute. >> She pulled me over, asked if she said no headlights. I have both headlights. >> I can tell you do not have a tail light. >> Oh, well, that's possible. >> Three miles going to call it out. I'm before you're over. >> That's That's possible. >> You know McDonald's and Goodwill, that's where you pulled out of. >> Believe it or not, I got food from your store. Yeah. >> There you go. >> Oh, I'm a criminal. This is No, no, no, no, she came right up to me and said, "Are you on drugs?" You know, let me tell you something, man. Do I go up to you guys ask you that? >> You can if you want to. >> though, dude. You know what I mean? It's stereotyping me. It's stereotyping the [ __ ] out of me. >> No, that's not the case, so >> All this is. >> Guarantee you she had no idea you were in the vehicle. >> She stereotyped my ass, ran my ass, didn't like me, wanted to [ __ ] with me, all this is. >> You realize he probably has more tattoos than you do. >> Robert has officially run out of legal arguments, so now his tattoos are apparently evidence of discrimination. Unfortunately for him, one quick look at the officer who pulled him over completely destroys that theory and delivers one of the funniest comebacks of the entire stop. >> So what? She stereotyped >> are you stereotyped by someone with tattoos if they have [ __ ] tattoos? >> Because Oh, because now it's okay. >> Now it's okay? >> Yeah. >> So she's stereotyping you because you have tattoos? >> I'm on the opposite side of the receiving end of it. Okay. As long as you're wearing a badge, nothing else hurts, right? >> Even when I'm not wearing a badge, nothing hurts. >> Yeah, that's right. [ __ ] Cuz you still wear a badge even when you're not wearing it. >> Yeah. >> How far away is this tow yard? >> Literally make a right. It's right there. >> No, right there. >> You can you see the lights. >> Right there. That's why you won't let me tow it. THAT'S WHY YOU WON'T LET ME PUSH IT CUZ I'D BE PUSHING IT RIGHT TO THE YARD IT'S GOING TO GO TO. >> NO, it wouldn't. >> Man, God, you guys are really in cahoots with this [ __ ] guy right here, huh? How many times do you come How many times do you see this guy? Four, five times a night? Huh? You guys are pulling cars left and right off this road, huh? Big business. They put such good business They put a store right here. >> Are you going to get picked up right here, sir? >> I don't know where the [ __ ] I am, dude. I'm not from here. Where do you think I'm going to get picked up? You think I'M GOING TO WALK 100 MILES THAT WAY AND GET PICKED UP? >> IT WAS a very simple question. Are you going to be standing right here to get picked up? >> Robert is so busy accusing the officers of mistreating him that he fails to notice they are actively trying to keep him from being stranded on the side of the road. Apparently, even basic consideration sounds like an attack when you are this determined to argue. >> Well, where else would I be standing? >> I don't know if you're going to walk somewhere. Are you going to walk to that gas station? Are you going to walk around in >> I'm going to walk AROUND IN COWBOY BOOTS. OH, THAT'LL really feel good after a while, wouldn't it? I don't know what I don't know Oh, come on, man. This is all [ __ ] >> So, if you're going to stand right here at this corner, then do Pan American and Tamiami Trail. If not, that building right there is 14,000 Tamiami Trail. >> You realize he's more than likely not going to sign this. Which makes that a case. Well, [ __ ] >> Officers are referencing Florida statutes 316.650 and 316.110 willful refusal to accept and sign a required traffic summons is a second-degree misdemeanor. To be clear, signing the citation isn't the same as pleading guilty. It's just confirming you received the citation and agree to appear in court. >> So, a lot OF MONEY AND TIME. >> IF YOU fail to sign it. It's unreasonable. That's pretty much failure to comply. >> Problem. >> So, instead of physically taking you to jail, we're giving you for first appearance. You're agreeing to go to first appearance. >> It's kind of like an NTA. >> Yes, it's a criminal citation. An NTA is the exact same thing. So, it's not an admission obviously you're guilty. It's just saying you are going to comply. >> Does the uh red shirt owner live down here in the state of Florida? >> No, he comes and visits. >> Okay. So, when he comes down, he has to show proof of ownership to get the truck out. >> That's what I'm saying you're [ __ ] It's going to take weeks to do this, dude. $25 a day? You think this is going to be cheap? You think I'm happy about this? This is [ __ ] >> I understand you're upset. >> No, you don't understand. It's going to cost me a lot of [ __ ] money. >> This is your friend's truck, so you're going to have to work with him to get the vehicle out. But then you have to get it re-registered with the state of Texas. Cuz it expired 10 years ago. >> It's not my truck. >> Okay. You were >> He has to get it registered, not me. >> You were driving the vehicle, though. >> You said I was. >> You're responsible for the vehicle and its contents. >> Oh, really? Well, not anymore. Looks like you guys are. >> Wait, you're watching right now, but not subscribed to the channel. Go ahead and click that subscribe button so we can move on with the video. All done? Great. Let's get back to the story. >> You're sergeant, are you? >> I'm not a sergeant, sir. >> You know, I have the right to ask for a sergeant, AND I ASKED FOR ONE. >> OKAY, IT'S a privilege, NOT A RIGHT. >> IT IS NOT a goddamn privilege. >> That correction is a pretty important legal fact hiding in the middle of all the shouting. Nobody is constitutionally guaranteed an on-demand supervisor visit during a traffic stop. It's something departments generally try to accommodate, but not something owed by law. >> You know what? Step aside. We're going to tow your car. No, I will tow it away for you. No, we're going to have our tow truck tow it away. >> That that That is That is what happened. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Cuz you violated four statutes tonight. >> I violated four statutes? >> Florida statutes, not four. Florida. >> Oh, and that is I drove around with >> No motor vehicle insurance. >> Oh. >> Expired tag of 10 years. >> Oh. >> Okay? >> Yeah. >> Okay? >> Yeah. >> Which means your vehicle cannot be on the roadway. >> That's right. >> Okay, that's That's right. That's 100% correct. So, I will go get you my card in a minute. >> I did speak to my supervisor again on the phone. She's a little tied up right now on her other line. She's on another call. I can give you her phone number so you can call her and see what she would like. But she's going to try to get out here. >> Like that's going to do me any good now my truck is gone? >> Well, you're asking you're ask I >> I asked to have them there before my truck was towed away. YOU TOLD ME NO. >> OKAY. >> YOU TOLD ME NO. >> I'm not going to sit here and let you yell at me like this. I'm not a child. >> You told me no. Did you not? Did you not tell me no? >> That one's here. >> I don't have to sign anything. I'll take the ticket. I don't have to sign anything. >> So, you do. >> I just want I just want to >> Look, by law I do not have to >> I just want to tell you if you are not in compliance to that, you're subject to arrest, okay? It's a criminal citation. >> It's a criminal citation? >> It's a criminal citation, yes, sir. >> And I will be arrested if >> If you don't sign the ticket. >> If you don't sign the ticket. >> And here is the moment this video earns its title. >> I'm on 14,000 K 9 patrol. >> Is he calling 911? >> Uh I believe it's Port uh North Port. >> I have four officers here who who towed me over. >> Towed my truck. My truck >> I have my supervisor on the phone. >> Well, you haven't given us a chance to explain that. >> They're going to arrest me if I don't sign it. >> Correct. If you don't sign it, you're >> any of this and I don't understand your laws and your rules and regulations and why you're putting me through this, but I asked for a sergeant and I want one now. and harassment. >> Harassment for violation of Florida statute? Is it a traffic stop? Okay. >> And asking me if I'm on That's harassment. >> Do you have business in the vehicle? >> Robert is essentially arguing that lawful enforcement of a real registration and insurance violation amounts to harassment. That's a legal argument he's welcome to make in court, but it's not the same thing as an actual violation by officers. >> She's asking me if I'm on drugs. >> Typical procedural question. >> Oh, really? >> Correct. >> She didn't ask me if I was in the vehicle, she asked me if I was on drugs. >> Okay. I highly >> That's stereotyping and that's pulling me over to stereotype me. That's pulling me over to checking me and then you had my vehicle towed away. I've asked if I could just push the vehicle off the road, they wouldn't let me. They have They have a a tow truck company that is paid by our if North Port Oh, they're going to arrest me. >> Put your hands behind your back. >> Why are you arresting me? >> Hands behind your BACK NOW. >> WHAT? WHY? >> PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK NOW. >> GOD, I'm not resisting. >> You are resisting. >> I'm not resisting. >> Put your hands behind your back. >> All right, I'll get to you. I'm not resisting. Stop it. I'm not resisting. >> Okay, then relax and then >> Relax. Okay, I will. >> You're under arrest. >> Why? >> And this becomes the exact moment the charges shift from a citation dispute into something with real additional legal consequences layered on top of it. >> You can go to jail. >> For what reason? A tail light? >> 23 >> God, for real? I'm not hurting anybody, man. I just >> Listen. don't want to be messed with. >> put up with your way too long. >> Oh god. You're hurting me. It's unnecessary. >> did this to yourself. >> WHY? WHAT DID I DO? >> this to yourself. Sorry, sir. >> You're hurting me. You You hurt me on the ground, dude. >> Cuz you just resisted arrest. >> Did he have any knives or anything like that? >> Just resisted arrest. >> You could have left with two tickets and now you got two more charges. >> I wasn't resisting, sir. You told me to sit down and you hit me without me resisting. >> You're under arrest. >> But you >> When I tell you to put your hands behind your [ __ ] >> I did. >> No, you didn't. You pulled away from me. >> I'm not moving. She's moving me. >> So, you just got two more charges, okay? >> For what? >> Resisting arrest and the misuse of 911. >> arrest. I did not. >> Okay. Well, my body cam says differently and I'll bet all three of theirs do, too. >> In the end, Robert Eugene Darnell was charged with four misdemeanor offenses, calling 911 without a valid reason, driving without insurance, resisting a police officer without using violence, refusing to sign a traffic ticket. A public defender was assigned to his case and they ultimately reached a plea deal. The judge withheld judgment on the refusal to sign a citation, which usually means it could come back into play if he gets in trouble again later. But overall, Robert walked away with no jail time and no probation, just $353 in fines on top of whatever the tow and impound actually cost him. Let us know in the comments, should the cops have waited that long to take stronger action or did they not do enough to de-escalate the situation from the start? If you enjoyed today's case, don't forget to hit the like and subscribe buttons for more real-life stories like this. 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