Richmond, VA — A Virginia state trooper is under investigation for a traffic stop in 2019 during which he can be heard on video telling a Black driver, “You’re going to get your a– whooped,” before forcefully removing the man from his car, authorities said Wednesday.
An attorney for the motorist, Derrick Thompson, tweeted video on Monday from the encounter that Thompson, 28, recorded with his cellphone.
The video shows Virginia State Trooper Charles Hewitt, violated the constitutional rights of and assaulted Thompson. The trooper knew he was being filmed and even posed for the camera before violently attacking a man over a minor traffic offense.
The details of what unfolded that fateful April day last year are now the subject of a lawsuit against the Virginia State police. Thompson is being represented by Joshua Erlich of the Erlich Law firm.
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Erlich also tweeted a letter that he said he sent to Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring on Monday alleging Thompson was “unconstitutionally assaulted” and his car was illegally searched on I-495 by Trooper Charles Hewitt and other troopers during the stop. Herring did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
State police Superintendent Col. Gary T. Settle said he has seen the two-minute video and that Hewitt has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
“The conduct displayed by Trooper Hewitt during the course of the traffic stop is not in agreement with the established standards of conduct required of a Virginia trooper,” Col. Settle said in a statement Wednesday. “Nor is it characteristic of the service provided daily across the Commonwealth of Virginia by Virginia State Police personnel.”
In a sent a letter to Virginia State Attorney General Mark Herring, Erlich let them know about the intent to sue and the abuse endured by his client:
“On April 20, 2019, a Virginia State Trooper stopped Mr. Thompson’s vehicle. The Trooper alleged Mr. Thompson’s inspection sticker was expired and that she detected an odor of marijuana. She announced her intent to search his vehicle. Mr. Thompson did not consent to the search, and the Trooper returned to her patrol vehicle to call for back-up.
Fearful of police violence and alone in his vehicle, Mr. Thompson, placed his cell phone on his dashboard to film the interaction. Approximately ten minutes later, two additional Virginia State Troopers arrived. Mr. Thompson requested each of the Troopers provide their name, badge number, and identification. One Trooper ignored Mr. Thompson’s request entirely, while another claimed he had forgotten his name and badge number.
Mr. Thompson made the same request of Hewitt, indicating that he was a taxpayer and believed his request to be justified. Hewitt responded, “You pay about forty cents of
state taxes”. Hewitt, after contacting dispatch to inform them “this one’s a little snippy,” did identify himself to Mr. Thompson.”
Watch the video below.
Today, we sent a letter to @MarkHerringVA about Virginia State Trooper Charles Hewitt.
In April 2019, Derrick Thompson was driving to work when Hewitt terrorized and assaulted him. pic.twitter.com/YTSCeDLM9j
— Joshua Erlich (@JoshuaErlich) July 13, 2020
