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TexasTowelie

(111,829 posts) Wed Jul 24, 2013, 11:49 PM Jul 2013

Former GOP Legislator Reports Aggressive Treatment at Valley Traffic Stop

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Aaron Peña

Former State Representative (and former Democrat) Aaron Peña received some attention earlier this week in the Texas Tribune concerning an unpleasant stop by local and federal law enforcement on his way to Austin from Edinburg last weekend.

He was stopped in Robstown, right outside of Corpus Christi, due to expired license plates. He was questioned not only by local police officers, but Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agents as well. They impounded his vehicle and wrote him a ticket for lacking proof of automobile insurance. He reported to be questioned excessively, and handled very aggressively.

Peña explains the experience:

"I don't mind that they pulled me over. I don't mind that they gave me a ticket. I do mind with great personal offense that they treated me like a drug dealer and accused me of lying."

"They assumed I was guilty, and they expected me to prove that I was innocent."

While he does not state it in the article explicitly, given the situation it's easy to assume the aggressive treatment towards the former representative was racially motivated.

More at http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/13829/former-gop-legislator-reports-aggressive-treatment-at-valley-traffic-stop .

[font color=green]Yes, the same Aaron Peña who voted for a bill that encourages the aggressive treatment of people based on race. The article also mentions his ties to Greg Abbott's political campaigns.