The Levi Trumbull lawsuit gained national notice after a a traffic stop in Frederick County, Maryland, led to a DUI investigation that subsequently prompted civil rights concerns on March 29, 2025.
The lawsuit is still on the rise as readers seek verified legal facts rather than social media commentary.
On March 29, 2025, a Frederick County sheriff’s deputy pulled over Levi Trumbull in Maryland for a red-light violation.
What began as a routine traffic stop turned into something much bigger.
The deputy asked Trumbull to take field sobriety tests. Trumbull declined, which is completely within his rights under Maryland law. Still, the deputy arrested him and took him to a detention facility for chemical testing.
The breathalyzer test reportedly showed a 0.00 blood alcohol concentration, meaning no alcohol in his system at all.
The Charges Get Dismissed
On May 8, 2025, district court dismissed both citations against Trumbull on the red-light violation and the license-related charge. The case ended without any conviction or finding of guilt as the deputy reportedly didn’t show up to court.
DEPUTY WHO FAKED TRAFFIC STOP AND 0.000 DUI ARREST AGAINST REPORTER LEVI TRUMBULL FAILS TO SHOW UP TO CONTINUE HIS LYING ON THE STAND!!!! TWO REMAONING FRAUDULENT TICKETS THROWN OUT BECAUSE COP DIDN’T WANT TO GET BRADY LISTED! Judge Terry Myers visibly upset at Deputy Roush for waisting everyone’s time throws the tickets out!!!!
Shaun Porter
What’s the Lawsuit About?
Trumbull has filed a notice of intent to sue, seeking $1 million in damages.
However, a notice of intent is not actually a lawsuit. It’s a formal warning that legal action might follow, which is required when someone plans to sue a government agency in Maryland.
Trumbull may seek compensation for emotional distress, humiliation, reputational damage, and loss of liberty after an arrest. If a lawsuit does move forward, it would likely focus on false arrest, fourth amendment rights, and the 0.00 BAC result.
@baolanufc Part 2: Sober Driver Levi Trumbull Falsely Arrests for DUI, Found 'NOT GUILTY' on Traffic Citations #usa🇺🇸 #newyorkcity #hot #police #bodycam #lawyer #lawyersoftiktok #lawsuit #cops #copsoftiktok #policeofficer #america #california ♬ original sound – BodyCam VipPro
Why the 0.00 BAC Matters?
A breath test showing 0.00 BAC (blood alcohol content) is strong evidence as it means the person had no alcohol in their system when tested.
Most people focus on that number, but lawyers look deeper. In Maryland and across the U.S., DUI laws cover both alcohol and drugs. A zero alcohol reading doesn’t automatically make an arrest invalid if police suspected drug impairment.
Courts check whether officers had good reason for that suspicion based on what they observed.
For an arrest to be legal, officers must point to specific signs of impairment. Courts then decide whether those observations met constitutional standards under the Fourth Amendment.
Video evidence often decides these cases. Body camera footage, dashcam recordings, and dispatch audio help juries see what really happened and judge whether officers had valid reasons for the arrest.
If what happened to journalist Levi Trumbull is considered acceptable police work in Frederick County, Maryland, then I want nothing to do with the place — not as a customer, not as a tourist, and certainly not behind the wheel of a car.
Radio Free Hub City
Where Things Stand Now?
There are a few different directions this situation could take.
A federal complaint might be filed, or the county could push back and defend the officer’s actions. It’s also possible that both sides will try to negotiate a settlement before going to court. And there’s even a chance that no lawsuit ends up being filed at all.
Unless a formal complaint shows up in court records, the Levi Trumbull case isn’t an active federal lawsuit.
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