Hey, move. Don't move. >> This incident unfolded in the state of Arkansas. State Trooper Brian Middelcoff was conducting routine highway patrol when he spotted a black sedan with expired registration tags. He activated his lights and initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle slowly pulled onto the shoulder. As the trooper approached the driver's side window, he noticed there were two occupants inside the car, a male driver and a female passenger. Middelcoff asked the driver to provide his driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. The driver was only able to hand over his license along with a rental agreement for the vehicle. Concerned about officer safety, the trooper conducted a brief pat-down search of the driver. >> All right, man. We just want to make sure you step out. You don't want to leave in the car. You got to leave in the car. >> Uh, I smoked before I even left Memphis. >> Okay. All right, so there's nothing in there? >> No, sir. >> All right, cuz I'm going to search. All right, so if you have something in there, just tell me, man. I'll work with you. >> Yes, sir. >> Is there anything in the car? >> Yes, sir. >> During the encounter, the driver admitted that he had used illegal substances earlier in the day, which explained the odor the trooper had noticed. However, the driver insisted there were no drugs currently inside the vehicle. After finding nothing illegal on the driver, the trooper shifted his attention to the female passenger. >> What you got on in the front? Okay. Is that your purse? >> No, it's getting mailed. It was in the medical bag. >> Are you lying to me? >> No. I said I'm on my period. >> Okay, I understand that. >> Based on the strong odor he claimed to detect, he believed there were illegal substances in the car. Both occupants firmly denied having anything illegal. The trooper then ordered the female passenger to step out. Because she was wearing very little clothing. He stated that a standard pat-down search was not appropriate. Still, relying on his training and experience, he suspected she might be concealing contraband. Middlekauff observed a noticeable bulge in the woman's shorts. She explained that she was on her menstrual cycle and said the bulge was simply a sanitary pad. Although the trooper remained unconvinced, he lacked the legal authority at that moment to search her or confirm his suspicion.