A routine license plate check. That's all this was supposed to be. A deputy in Palm Coast, Florida spots a plate that pings as stolen, pulls the vehicle over, and starts what looks like a standard traffic stop. But within minutes, the driver's story starts shifting. A boss in Canada, a van that's supposed to have this plate, a front plate he swears is sitting right there on the floor. Nothing about this stop stays simple for long, and by the end, deputies uncover a lot more than a mismatched tag. Buckle up because this one escalates fast. >> Deputies in Palm Coast, Florida pulled over a driver after spotting a stolen license plate, but a closer look inside the vehicle revealed far more than they expected. >> Step out of the car. >> 15 18 Charlie 211 and Charlie 212 status check. >> Stop. Stop. Lift your shirt up. Spin around. >> 15 53 >> All right, come to the side. >> 15 10 status check. >> Anybody else in the car? >> 15 15 3 >> Y'all y'all I've been pulled over before on this. >> Okay. >> Fairly something to deal with the license plate or something like that, and they ran they ran it, saw there was nothing on it. So I've been through this before. I understand. >> Why are they telling you it's stolen out of Canada? >> It's not stolen out of Canada. My boss is from Canada. This is his vehicle. >> Is there anybody else in it? >> There's nobody else in it. >> All right, have a seat there. Just go make sure there's nobody else in the vehicle. There's nobody else in the vehicle, I promise you that. >> I promise you that. Who does the van belong to? >> Um I'm sorry. Uh Timothy Dotson. >> Okay. And where >> He's out Kingston, I believe, Ontario. >> When was the last time you were stopped in this? >> Uh it was a week and a half ago, maybe. >> And what did they say? Like >> Nothing. They >> Notice what's happening here. This isn't the driver's first rodeo with this exact plate issue. He tells deputies he's been through this before, stopped multiple times, and let go each time. That's a red flag any experienced officer will pick up on immediately. A clerical error that keeps repeating isn't usually a clerical error. On top of that, he's already flagged as having outstanding warrants, though he claims they're non-extraditable and tied up in an ongoing legal process. So, ask yourself, at what point does this keeps happening to me stop being bad luck and start being a pattern deputies need to take seriously. That question is about to matter a lot more. >> I ran the plate and saw that it wasn't that. >> I just ran it again. They're telling me it's still stolen. >> I don't have an ID on you real quick? >> Um I have a digital ID that's on my My wallet got stolen. >> So, you have it where? >> It's in the on my What? In the truck on my phone. >> All right, let's go get that real quick. >> Okay. >> You're fine. No guns or anything in here? >> Huh? >> No guns or anything? >> No, I don't know. >> He's saying he's been a problem for a while and he's been stopped for it multiple times. They keep letting him go. So, I'll try and get it straightened out. >> If you call, I forget which county it was. It was right outside of Ocala is where I got stopped at. >> Which county? >> Um Lake County. It wasn't Marion. Maybe Lake. I don't I'm not exactly sure where I got stopped. I don't exactly remember. And I do have warrants. They are not extraditable. Um I'm in the middle of taking care of all that. So. >> All right, just stand over there for me. I'll be right back. >> Okay. >> He gets stopped in Lake County somewhere? >> Yeah, it was right outside of Ocala. Like right before I got to Ocala. >> Did you run the VIN? >> Yeah. >> It just come back on. >> I don't know. >> Just want to see on your bumper, man. We'll be with you in a minute. We'll see if there was there a front license plate on it. >> No. >> It's just the back one? Where is the front license plate? >> They don't have them. >> They don't have them? >> Um there's a front license plate. I have a front license plate. It's in the car, but there's nothing to attach it to. >> Okay, so you do have a front license >> I have the front one. >> Where is that at? >> I can grab it for you. >> Where is it at in the car? >> Um I think it's >> Okay. >> I think it's right by my seat, but I'm not like underneath the box that's right there. I can grab it for you if you want to see it. >> You mind if I grab it? >> Yeah, I can show you where it's at. I'll I'll stay back. I don't think It should be like Yeah, I I can grab it real quick. >> You mind if I go in there? >> Here's the moment this stop takes a hard turn. Deputies discover the Ontario plate isn't a stand-alone tag. It's been physically stuck over top of an old Arizona plate that was riveted to the vehicle and apparently couldn't be removed. Layered plates on a commercial-style van is exactly the kind of detail that turns a clerical mix-up story into something deputies have to physically verify piece by piece. And then it gets more tangled. The vehicle is still showing as registered to U-Haul, not to the boss the driver keeps referencing. Every explanation he gives raises another registration question instead of answering the first one. Do you think this sounds like a legitimate fleet vehicle paperwork mess or is something else going on here? >> I just want to make sure you don't have any guns in the car. >> No, I don't have any guns. >> Okay, no guns. >> I'm a felon, I can't have them. It should be right between the seat right down there on the floor. >> Okay. >> Or I can grab it real quick. >> No, you're good. >> I promise you it's there. >> Okay, let's check. So he says he has the front license plate. >> Um >> Ontario has two license plates. See if he has the phone number for this boss that owns it all. >> Okay. Do you have a phone number for your boss that owns the truck? >> Uh yeah, wait. >> What's his name? >> Uh Timothy Yeah, he stuck it over top of the old license plate that was there because he couldn't get it off. >> There's another license plate on it. >> Yeah, there's the the old U-Haul plate that's on it. >> 27 >> It's on there. We couldn't get it off. So, he just stuck it over top. >> There's an Arizona plate underneath there. >> The one that's supposed to be on it. >> I can't see it. >> So, who does the vehicle belong to? >> Timothy >> And he's >> Got Timothy's number? >> Yes. >> And what do you do for him? >> I work for a logistical company, so I deal with dispatching of truckers and warehouses. >> So, where are you coming from now? >> We're actually moving and that's why he let me use the van. >> You're moving like personal life? >> Yes. Yes. >> To where? >> Down here in Florida. We're going to uh uh Sarasota. >> You're coming from where? >> Right now? >> Yeah, where are you moving from? >> I'm coming from Jacksonville right now. >> So, you currently live in Jacksonville? >> No. No. No. No. I currently live in Sarasota. >> And that's where you're moving to. >> Yeah, that's where I'm going. >> Where are you moving from? >> Virginia. >> Virginia? >> Yes. I got allowed to leave and move, so I was moving. >> Allowed by who? >> Oh, I was on probation, so >> You still have warrants out for >> Yeah, but and I don't know why they're still there because my probation officer is the one who allowed me to move. So. I don't know what he did with it. He said he couldn't get the dab it off of it, so >> So, let me guess. If anything falls wrong with this, it's going to fall on me, isn't it? >> What's weird is that you have a Ontario license plate. >> because he's from Ontario and He bought it from here, registered it in Ontario, put plates We have a bunch of vans that have Ontario plates. >> The thing is the van still belongs to U-Haul. know. >> It shouldn't because he bought it from him. >> Oh. Hence everything off. I was there when he went and bought it. >> What's the phone number for that guy? >> Yeah. >> What's his name? >> Timothy But I guess he couldn't get the things out or whatever and so they just >> What those things? >> Yeah. So they plastered the plate over top of it. But like I said, at this point I'm guessing this all gets to fall on me. And I don't need that. >> Yeah, he didn't drill it out. He just put that over top of it. >> Yeah. >> Is that firmly attached that tag? >> I guess. When we bought them we couldn't get them out so >> on I think probably >> They couldn't they couldn't do it. >> U-Haul stuff I think does stuff like that so they don't lose their tags. >> Yeah. But we went in and he bought that day he bought six vans. >> That's what I'm saying it's still registered to U-Haul. >> Yeah. Why? >> I have no idea. >> Does it not kick out the registry when he goes up to >> Uh not unless he not unless he cancels the registration with Arizona. >> Okay. >> So right now all we're seeing is that it's still it's supposed to have this tag on it. >> Okay. >> And it's still showing as owned by U-Haul. >> Really? >> Yes. >> I have nothing to do with that. So Just trying to make it home to my wife now. >> We're contacting Ontario to see if this is still >> that. >> I understand I understand I understand. I'm I'm with you completely. Um so if y'all end up taking this >> And just like that, the tone flips completely. Right up until this point, the driver has been calm, cooperative, almost casually explaining away every red flag. Then dispatch confirms it. The plate is coming back stolen, verified by an outside agency, not just a database glitch, an actual confirmed theft. That confirmation is the legal trigger that lets deputies move from investigating an inconsistency to making an arrest. Watch how fast his demeanor shifts once the cuffs come out. Full cooperation, but also a noticeably different tone. This is the point where a traffic stop stops being about paperwork and starts being about the cause. >> The vehicle is not stolen. >> Oh, the vehicle is not stolen. >> The only thing that's stolen is The plate is stolen. >> Yes. >> Okay, so it's supposed to have that plate on it. >> Yes. >> Okay. Well, then if that's the case, I can keep it moving. I just Hey, he handed me keys and do what you need to do. I did it. I was just doing what I was told. I didn't think there was an issue. I've never had an issue with it. I got to answer. I called him like 10 times. >> Yeah. So, he's saying >> Yeah. >> He's saying that his boss bought the van from U-Haul, registered it on in Ontario according to him, and then they stuck this Ontario tag over the Arizona tag because the Arizona tag is riveted like actually like riveted into the the vehicle. You can't get it out. >> Sounds like BS cuz this guy is out of orders. >> Listen, right now you're going to be placed in handcuffs. >> Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, woah. Why? Why? Why, sir? >> Because the tires coming back stolen out of North Carolina. They confirmed it's stolen. >> Out of North Carolina? >> Or South Carolina, wherever it was. >> I I've never That That truck came out of Virginia. >> Well, wherever Whoever entered it stolen. Whatever agency that is confirmed that they are in fact stolen. >> Sir, >> and we all know license plates Listen, the fact that it's glued on there it's just not making a whole lot >> No, no, I I understand what you're saying. >> I'm going to put you in handcuffs, and put you in the car until we can figure it all out. >> All right, hold on. Do you have anything on your person that might >> Just a knife. Tech knife. >> All right. >> I am cooperating. Tech knife. >> Will your boss answer the phone cuz he's not answering for me. >> He should. >> How do I get to this? >> I I got to unlock it, sir. It's finger printed. >> You don't have a pass code? >> Oh, okay. 546482. >> Check. All right. Let him sit in the car. Tim's not answering. I'm going to call from your phone cuz your number's blocked or something. >> So >> You're under arrest for theft. >> Sir, sir, for theft of what though? >> License plate. >> I didn't steal a license plate. >> possession of it. You knew it was glued on there? >> No, I didn't. They said they couldn't No, no, no, no. They said that they put them on the put them on the trucks. I figured that's how they put it on the truck. I didn't know they glued it on there. All that I know is that they went out there with screws and put the cable. >> Is there any way I can get a hold of anybody else to corroborate any of this? >> Um my wife, she works for the company. >> What's her name? >> In my phone, that's my queen. Her name is Dawn. >> Dawn? >> Yes. >> Hello, this is Corporal Green, Flagler Sheriff's Office. Is this Dawn? >> Yes. >> Do you work for the company that owns this van that Ryan is in? >> I do. >> Okay. Do you know how to get to the a hold of the owner of the van? >> Um I can try to. >> Who does Timothy Who does Ryan work for? >> The archery. >> Does Tim know he has this van or what? >> Absolutely. >> Do you know how to get a hold of Tim? >> I'm going to try to get a hold of him. He's out of town. >> This is the moment the entire stop reframes itself. What started as a license plate discrepancy just turned into a full-blown narcotics and identity theft investigation. During the search, deputies find roughly 24 g of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl, a glass pipe with burnt residue, a digital scale coated in crystalline residue, a magnetic hide box built specifically to conceal contraband, four separate cell phones, a stack of hotel key cards, and stolen ID and credit cards belonging to multiple different people. Suddenly, "I've just been doing what I was told" carries a lot less weight. This is exactly why officers push on small inconsistencies during traffic stops because sometimes a mismatched license plate is the loose thread that unravels something much bigger. >> How did he end up down here from Virginia? >> I don't I don't know. Um really what's going on? >> Well, he was pulled over in this van. The van has stolen license plates on it. >> Stolen license plates? >> Yeah. >> Is he going to jail? >> Probably. >> For stolen license plates? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Well, I'm going to try to try to get a hold of Mr. Dody because that really is not his responsibility. If I get a hold of him, who do I tell him to call? >> He needs to call into the Flagler Sheriff's Office to talk to Corporal Green. >> Okay. Okay. >> All right. Um 24 g. He's got a bunch of cards in here in all different names. Hey man, you giving us your real name? >> Ryan Yusef. >> That's your real name? You been informed of your new charges? >> No. >> Trafficking methamphetamine, possession of false ID, possession of somebody else's identification. >> That's Steven's bag. >> Okay. >> So >> Okay, where's Steven? Where's he Where's he at? >> He's back in Jacksonville. >> Why do you have his bag? >> He left it in the van. >> Okay. >> Can I ask a question? Why am I getting a trafficking charge? I had what? What the [ __ ] man? How did I have 24 g of meth? You got to be You got to be [ __ ] [ __ ] me. So, what was >> one misdemeanor is now a misdemeanor and what, like four felonies? >> I'm not getting out of jail. I'm not going home. >> The search revealed approximately 24 g of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl, a glass pipe with burnt residue, a digital scale covered in crystalline residue, a a magnetic box used to conceal contraband, four cellular phones, a stack of hotel key cards, and stolen personal identification and credit cards belonging to multiple individuals. Ryan was originally arrested on five charges including fentanyl trafficking, amphetamine or methamphetamine trafficking, unlawful possession of personal ID information for five or more people, drug paraphernalia, and petty theft. The prosecution opted not to file >> Let's break down what actually happened here. A traffic stop that began with a stolen license plate alert turned into a multi-felony arrest, but the road there is a case study in patience and procedure. The deputy didn't take the driver's explanations at face value, but also didn't jump to conclusions before confirming key facts, the plate's theft status, the vehicle's true registration, and whether the story held together across multiple retellings. Once the theft was officially confirmed by an outside agency, that gave deputies the legal basis to detain him, and the subsequent search uncovered narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and stolen identification tied to several different victims. In the end, Ryan pled no contest to methamphetamine trafficking, identity theft, and paraphernalia possession, and was sentenced to nearly 2 years in state prison. What began as a routine plate check turned into the unraveling of a much larger operation, a reminder that small inconsistencies during traffic stops are often exactly where officers are trained to look closest. What do you think? Did the deputy handle this the right way, or should things have escalated sooner? Drop your take in the comments. If you found this breakdown as intense as we did, hit that like button, share your thoughts below, and don't forget to subscribe for more real-life body cam breakdowns. >> a petty theft charge early on and later dropped the heavy fentanyl trafficking charge altogether. On June 18th, 2024, Ryan pled no contest to the remaining three charges of methamphetamine trafficking, ID theft, and paraphernalia possession. He was found guilty and sentenced to 1 year and 9 months in state prison for the felony counts, along with 3 months and 15 days in county jail for the misdemeanor paraphernalia charge, receiving 3 months and 15 days credit for time served. Additionally, he was assessed $768 in total court fees and public defender liens, which currently remain completely unpaid.