After Watching this Arrest Video, I Won’t Be Doing Business in Frederick County, Maryland (Opinion)

If what happened to journalist Levi Trumbull is considered acceptable police work in Frederick County, Maryland, then I want nothing to do with the place — not as a customer, not as a tourist, and certainly not behind the wheel of a car. The recent release of body camera footage showing Trumbull’s DUI arrest, despite blowing a 0.00 on a breath test, is more than disturbing. It’s a warning.

An update to this story is available here.

Trumbull, a reporter known for his coverage of law enforcement misconduct, was pulled over after allegedly running a red light. He calmly declined to participate in field sobriety exercises, which under Maryland law is well within his rights. In return, he was arrested. He cooperated. He was sober. Yet none of that seemed to matter. Deputies arrested him anyway, towed his car, and initiated a full DUI investigation — even though there was no proof he had no alcohol in his system.

If this is the standard for probable cause in Frederick County, then every driver is a potential target. What makes Trumbull’s case particularly alarming is the possibility — however small — that this wasn’t just a random stop. Trumbull has built a reputation for reporting on law enforcement overreach. Is it paranoid to wonder whether this arrest was a message?

That’s what keeps me up at night. Not just the injustice of one journalist being falsely arrested, but the larger implication that anyone — including other reporters, writers, or everyday citizens — could be subjected to the same treatment. Maybe a deputy doesn’t like what you said. Maybe they just don’t like your attitude. Or maybe they don’t need a reason at all. That’s the real danger. When legal behavior becomes criminalized by perception, none of us are safe.

So no, I won’t be dining, shopping, or visiting Frederick County any time soon. And frankly, I’ll be avoiding the county altogether. I shouldn’t have to wonder if a routine drive could end with an unwarranted arrest and a towed vehicle. Until Frederick County leadership addresses this and makes real changes, I’m taking my business — and my peace of mind — elsewhere.

Trumbull’s video of the incident is below. We have an outstanding Maryland Public Information Act request to obtain additional information regarding this incident.

An update to this story is available here, including results from our Public Information Act request.

Opinion article by Ken Buckler, President of Radio Free Hub City. All opinions are his own, and do not reflect those of our sponsors or clients.

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