Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin released a statement Thursday after AL(dot)com suggested the police department contacted ICE after pulling over an illegal immigrant for driving one mile per hour over the speed limit.
The original article told the story of Giovanna Martinez, who was stopped on Interstate 20 on Tuesday by a Leeds police officer. The story quoted a GoFundMe account for Martinez, stating the young woman is a business owner and JSU graduate who worked with HICA (Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama).
Irwin responded Thursday afternoon on Facebook, apologizing for the “false narrative," adding that the reporter could’ve easily contacted him for information on the case.
“It is absurd to believe we stopped a vehicle for going one mile an hour over the speed limit on the interstate,” Irwin stated.
According to Irwin, an officer in an unmarked vehicle clocked Martinez traveling over 80 mph and coming into close proximity with other vehicles and “erratically” changing lanes. A marked unit then stopped the car and found that Martinez did not have a driver’s license, but instead had a Mexico-issued ID.
“Pursuant to our policy, Detectives contacted our federal partners, who informed Detectives that the female was in the United States of America illegally,” Irwin explained. “Our federal partners responded to the scene and took custody of the driver. This vehicle was stopped because she posed a danger to the public by driving in a reckless manner.”
“It is unfortunate that the driver had not taken the steps necessary to remain in our country legally,” he continued. We value and appreciate our partnerships with the other law enforcement agencies and the media.”
The AL(dot)com story was updated Thursday afternoon with information from Irwin.
Irwin said he has heard from friends of Martinez, and he wishes her the best as she returns to her country.
“The relationships we build with the community and transparency with the media is very important to our department,” Irwin concluded. “We will always provide a statement about any incident that affects our profession or relationship with the public.”
The GoFundMe page for Martinez has raised over $16,000.
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