March 28, 2024

Des Moines pays $25K in traffic stop settlement

DES MOINES (AP) — Des Moines agreed to pay $25,000 to an African-American driver who questioned a traffic stop in a lawsuit, but the city didn’t admit any wrongdoing.

The Des Moines Register reports Lonnie Porter of Des Moines recorded the Dec. 6 traffic stop on his phone.

Porter argued in his lawsuit that the officer’s reason for pulling him over was bogus. The public advocacy group Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement says the case may be an example of racial profiling.

The 41-year-old Porter didn’t receive a ticket during the stop. Officer Sean O’Neill said on the video that he pulled Porter over because a temporary license plate on the vehicle wasn’t fully visible.

Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek says O’Neill has an outstanding record and acts with integrity.