Jury Awards Iowa Man $105,000 After Viral Traffic Stop

A man who was pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving by Newton Police has won a big case after the jury found that officers violated his civil rights.

Traffic Stop Goes Viral

In 2022, a then 19-year-old Tayvin Galanakis was pulled over by Newton Police and accused of driving under the influence. His Breathalyzer test found no trace of alcohol. But police and Galanakis disagreed about how he performed during his field sobriety tests, according to the Des Moines Register. He was released after another officer examined him and found no signs of impairment. Galanakis then posted videos criticizing the police on YouTube, with the videos garnering millions of views, according to the Register. 

Arresting Officers Face a Lawsuit

Galanakis sued the city for the 2022 traffic stop, along with the arresting officers. The Register reports that last week, a federal judge in Des Moines ruled in his favor and awarded him $105,000 for emotional and punitive damages. The jury found the two officers liable for both false arrest and violating the Constitution's Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure, according to the Register.