Illegal Homeland Security Roving Patrol Traffic Stop

While driving to a remote work site late in the evening on May 14, 2008, I was targeted by a Federal Homeland Security Agent on roving patrol and followed for several miles along SR86 in Southern Arizona. After following me for some distance, the agent initiated a traffic stop absent reasonable suspicion along a deserted stretch of this unlit two lane highway. There were no developed shoulders along the side of the road making it impossible to completely pull out of the lane of traffic.

Additionally, the presence of several blind curves in the area make for dangerous conditions, especially at night. Testifying to this fact are multiple makeshift crosses from roadside memorials in the area.

SR86 is a public highway that runs East - West. It's also over 40 miles North of the international border with Mexico and never intersects the border at any point.

When I first noticed the vehicle, it was the second one behind me and closely trailing the car in front of it. Aggressive and dangerous driving by DHS Agents operating in the area is not uncommon. At the time, I couldn't make out any markings so I wasn't sure if it was a DHS vehicle. It was riding high off the ground however with headlights and a rough outline resembling the commonly seen CBP vans & trucks in the area diverted from the border to target domestic traffic.

After following me for several miles, the agent turned on his flashing red & blue lights and passed the vehicle in front of him. He stayed in the opposite lane until the distance between myself and the other car widened enough for his patrol vehicle to squeeze in behind me.

I pulled over a short distance later and turned on my video camera. The agent's radio was on as he approached and I could hear someone state a 10-29 check on me had come back negative (check for wanted) followed by my name, a description of my vehicle and my address.

Standing slightly back from the driver's side door, the agent said nothing as he shined his flashlight into my vehicle. With my camera up however, he began backing away a short time later.

As he backed away, I asked him why he stopped me and what his name was. He stood behind my vehicle and said nothing. The second time I asked, the agent indicated he wanted me to roll my window down but otherwise refused to identify himself or the reason why he stopped me. Since he initiated the stop, his refusal to inform me as to who he was, why he stopped me, or even make any inquiries was very strange indeed.

A few moments later, the agent went back to his vehicle and drove away without any explanation as to why he arrested my travels and invaded my privacy.

Welcome to Checkpoint, USA

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Homeland
• Security
• Border
• Patrol
• Police

[TheUnDeRGRouNDHoBo]

are you still doing these checkpoints

[CheckpointUSA]

Just went through one again yesterday TheUnDeRGRouNDHoBo.

[His0wnHero]

You are a whiny bitch. You are definitely everything that is wrong with this country. Complaining for the sake of complaining. Get a life.

[CheckpointUSA]

You got it wrong His0wnHero. 1st I'm not complaining. I'm merely exercising my rights while being seized absent suspicion along a public highway inside the country & sharing that experience with as many others as want to see it.

2nd, what's wrong with this country is too many ignorant authoritarian punks like yourself who have no clue about the principles this country was founded on and little more than blatant contempt for anyone's rights except your own.

[CheckpointUSA]

Sounds like you're the only one around here "crying like some little bitch" billspompano. What's the matter? Does seeing someone successfully exercise their rights remind you of just how much of an authoritarian brown-noser you are?

Really bullspompano, man up & take some pride in the heritage the founders of this country left for us.

[CheckpointUSA]

In an area I'm not supposed to be bernielhat? Looks like you're grasping at straws in an attempt to justify the actions of this agent.

Doesn't matter what time of day or night it is regarding traveling along a public highway. Agents need reasonable suspicion to initiate a traffic stop. If the agent had reasonable suspicion here, he wouldn't have turned around & walked away when confronted.

[dewpoint88]

Scary stuff. The gestapo learned of your rebellion and wanted to intimidate.

[Robmar420]

@JustinR32T Justin go back to racing your cars and stay out of important subjects that you should really shut up about. Your belief system of making everyone a suspect is classic sheep mentality. If you can name me any laws that should exists other than 1. Dont harm someone. 2. Dont steal. and 3. Dont commit fraud than you are a douche bag against REAL freedom. Current legislative laws go against the constitution in many ways yet you think you're a real patriot. Checkpoint is the true patriot.

[Robmar420]

Keep up the videos checkpoint.. do this for the whole world in mind. Freedom is something everybody deserves.

[CheckpointUSA]

I couldn't care less what you claim to be JustinR32T & if you pull me over without rs or pc, I will show you where you lawful authority ends.

If the agent in this video had actually had a lawful reason for pulling me over, he wouldn't have turned around & left when I challenged him. You know & I know it. He also didn't do a check on me since he never ID'd me. The only thing he ran a check on was the vehicle I was driving - something he could have done without stopping me.

[newcaramrod]

checkpointusa man i feel sorry for you. i feel your pain, trying not to answer some of these (non remotely relative) comments made by idiots. its a loosing battle with so much ignorance on youtube. good luck with everything

[CheckpointUSA]

BTW JustinR32T, you got it backwards like most of your ilk do. I didn't stop & seize this agent under threat of force absent reasonable suspicion. This agent was the one who initiated the traffic stop which means he was the one out looking for trouble.

You'd think someone claiming to be a federal agent would have a better grasp of reality.