No civil lawsuit has been filed in court as of August 2026. Levi Trumbull’s legal team issued a notice of intent to sue Frederick County for about $1 million after his March 29, 2025 DUI arrest, despite a 0.00 breathalyzer result. The case remains in the pre-litigation stage. No settlement has been publicly confirmed.
Levi Trumbull is a Frederick County, Maryland content creator who documents police interactions. On March 29, 2025, a sheriff’s deputy arrested him for DUI even though two breath tests showed zero alcohol. That arrest turned into one of the most-searched police accountability stories of 2025 and 2026.
This article separates confirmed court facts from unverified social media claims. Every section below states clearly what is documented and what is still just a rumor. We update this page whenever new court filings or official statements appear.
Key Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident date | March 29, 2025 |
| Location | Route 355 and Lowes Lane, Frederick County, Maryland |
| Officer involved | Deputy Christian Roush, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office |
| Stated reason for stop | Alleged red light violation |
| Field sobriety test | Declined by Trumbull; voluntary under Maryland law |
| Breath test result | 0.00 BAC on two separate tests |
| Arrest outcome | Handcuffed, arrested for DUI, vehicle towed and impounded |
| Court hearing | May 8, 2025 — deputy did not appear |
| Citation outcome | Both traffic citations dismissed; no DUI charges filed |
| Public records complaint | Filed by Trumbull, seeking incident and review documents |
| Notice of intent to sue | Reported at approximately $1 million |
| Lawsuit filed in court? | No, as of August 2026 |
| Statute of limitations | Roughly March 2028 under Maryland’s 3-year civil rights window |
| Settlement confirmed? | No official confirmation exists |
What Happened During the Levi Trumbull Traffic Stop?
Deputy Christian Roush stopped Levi Trumbull around 9:40 p.m. on March 29, 2025. The stop happened near Route 355 and Lowes Lane in Frederick County, Maryland. Roush told Trumbull he had run a red light.
The deputy then requested field sobriety tests. Maryland law makes these tests voluntary, and Trumbull declined them. He did agree to a breathalyzer test. Two separate readings both showed 0.00 percent blood alcohol content.
Despite the zero result, deputies handcuffed Trumbull and arrested him on suspicion of DUI. His vehicle was towed and impounded from the scene. Reports indicate Trumbull later paid over $367 in towing and impound fees to recover it.
Who Is Levi Trumbull?
Levi Trumbull is a Frederick County-based content creator known for filming interactions between police officers and the public. He operates within the “First Amendment auditor” community, a group of creators who document law enforcement encounters on camera as a form of public accountability journalism.
Supporters describe auditors as performing a public service by recording how officers treat citizens during stops. Critics argue some auditors escalate encounters to generate viral content. Trumbull’s own arrest became a test case for that broader debate, since his channel already focused on exactly this kind of interaction before it happened to him.
Why Was Trumbull Arrested Despite a 0.00 BAC?
A 0.00 breathalyzer reading rules out alcohol impairment, but Maryland’s DUI statute also covers impairment by drugs or other substances. Deputy Roush reportedly cited signs of impairment observed during the stop, separate from the breath test itself, as part of his stated justification.
That distinction matters legally. A zero BAC does not automatically make an arrest unlawful, but it removes the most common basis for a DUI charge. This is why the arrest drew so much scrutiny once the bodycam footage became public.
Can Maryland Police Arrest You for Refusing a Field Sobriety Test?
Yes, but refusal alone cannot serve as the sole basis for an arrest. Field sobriety tests are voluntary in Maryland. Declining them is a driver’s legal right and does not by itself create probable cause for a DUI arrest.
Officers must still point to independent evidence of impairment to justify an arrest. That evidence can include the officer’s observations, driving behavior, or other signs unrelated to the refusal itself. Whether Deputy Roush had enough independent evidence, given the 0.00 breath result, is the central legal question in Trumbull’s case.
What Happened in Court on May 8, 2025?
Trumbull was scheduled to appear in court on May 8, 2025, to face two traffic citations tied to the stop. Deputy Roush did not attend the hearing. Under Maryland court rules, an officer’s absence typically results in automatic dismissal of the citations.
However, the judge dismissed both citations. No DUI charge was ever formally filed against Trumbull. The dismissed citations were later expunged from his record, meaning they cannot be refiled for the same incident. Readers can verify hearing outcomes and case status directly through the Maryland Judiciary’s public case records portal.
Deputy Roush Investigation: What’s Confirmed and What Isn’t
This section separates verified court facts from unconfirmed reports. Deputy Roush’s failure to appear in court on May 8, 2025, is a documented court record. That fact is confirmed.
Multiple social media accounts and community discussions, including posts summarizing case details from Frederick County residents, report that an internal Frederick County Sheriff’s Office investigation found Deputy Roush violated department policy on failure to identify himself, unbecoming conduct, and discourtesy. Also, these same posts describe a resulting letter of reprimand and two days of retraining, with Roush remaining employed by the department.
Important caveat: No official Frederick County Sheriff’s Office press release or court filing currently confirms these internal investigation details in the public record we could verify. Treat this information as a widely circulated but unofficial report until an official statement or public records response confirms it. We will update this section immediately if the Sheriff’s Office issues a formal statement or the public records request produces documentation.
Has Levi Trumbull Filed a Lawsuit? Current Status
No. As of August 2026, no federal or state civil lawsuit has been filed in publicly searchable court records against Frederick County, the Sheriff’s Office, or Deputy Roush.
Trumbull’s legal team reportedly issued a notice of intent to sue seeking approximately $1 million in damages. Under Maryland’s Local Government Tort Claims Act, this notice is a required pre-litigation step before suing a government agency. However, it signals that litigation may follow, but it is not itself a lawsuit.
Maryland gives civil rights claimants roughly three years from the incident date to file suit. That places Trumbull’s filing deadline around March 2028. Until a complaint appears in federal or state court records, the case remains in the pre-litigation stage.
Is There a Levi Trumbull Lawsuit Settlement?
No settlement has been officially confirmed as of 2026. A small number of social media posts claim the case was resolved through a private settlement before reaching a formal lawsuit. However, these claims have not been verified through any court record, press release, or attorney statement.
Settlements between private individuals and government agencies are sometimes reached quietly and may not appear in public records immediately, if at all. So, readers should treat any specific settlement figure circulating online as unconfirmed speculation. This page will update with sourced confirmation if and when one becomes available.
Is the Levi Trumbull Lawsuit a Class Action?
No, the Levi Trumbull lawsuit is not a class action. This is a potential individual civil rights case, not a consumer class action. A small number of low-quality websites have incorrectly described it as a “class action settlement” with a “claims deadline” and eligibility criteria for the public to file claims.
However, that description is inaccurate. There is no class of plaintiffs, no settlement fund, no claims administrator, and no claim form associated with this matter. If you encounter a website asking you to submit a claim form for a “Levi Trumbull settlement,” treat it with caution, since no such fund has been established or confirmed.
What Could a Future Lawsuit Include?
If Trumbull files a civil lawsuit, legal experts point to a few likely claims. The core legal vehicle would be 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the federal statute allowing individuals to sue state and local officials for constitutional violations.
Likely claims and damages could include:
- False arrest, arguing no valid probable cause existed given the 0.00 BAC result
- Fourth Amendment violation, covering unreasonable seizure during the stop and arrest
- Reimbursement for towing and impound costs
- Compensation for emotional distress and reputational harm
- Lost income, if Trumbull can document time missed due to the incident
The Sheriff’s Office would likely argue the deputy had probable cause based on the alleged red light violation and observed signs of impairment. Qualified immunity, a legal doctrine shielding officials unless they violated clearly established law, would likely be raised as a defense if the case proceeds.
What Evidence Exists in the Case?
Bodycam footage of the stop and arrest is publicly available and shows the breathalyzer displaying 0.00. This footage is the central piece of evidence in the case and has been viewed widely across social platforms.
Additional documented evidence includes the two dismissed traffic citations and the May 8, 2025 court record showing the deputy’s absence. Also, Trumbull’s pending public records request for the incident report and any supervisory review documents.
FAQs
Is Levi Trumbull suing Frederick County?
Not yet in court. His legal team issued a notice of intent to sue for about $1 million, which is a required pre-lawsuit step, but no formal complaint has been filed as of August 2026.
What was Levi Trumbull’s BAC when he was arrested?
Two breath tests both showed 0.00 percent blood alcohol content, meaning no alcohol was detected in his system at the time of arrest.
Why was Levi Trumbull arrested if he blew a 0.00?
Maryland’s DUI law also covers impairment from drugs, not just alcohol. The deputy reportedly cited other observed signs of impairment, separate from the breath test, as part of the arrest justification.
Did Deputy Roush get fired?
No official confirmation exists that Deputy Roush was terminated. Unverified social media reports claim he received a written reprimand and retraining and remains employed, but this has not been confirmed through an official department statement.
Is the Levi Trumbull lawsuit a class action settlement?
No. This is a potential individual civil rights case under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, not a class action. Any website claiming a class-wide settlement fund or claim form for this case is inaccurate.
Has Levi Trumbull’s case been settled?
No settlement has been officially confirmed. Some unverified social media posts claim a private resolution occurred, but no court record or official statement supports this as of August 2026.
Can Maryland police arrest someone for refusing a field sobriety test?
Refusal alone cannot serve as the sole basis for an arrest, since field sobriety tests are voluntary in Maryland. Officers still need independent evidence of impairment to justify an arrest.
How much did Levi Trumbull pay to get his car back?
Reports indicate he paid over $367 in towing and impound fees after his vehicle was towed during the arrest.
What is the deadline for Levi Trumbull to file a lawsuit?
Maryland’s civil rights statute of limitations gives claimants roughly three years from the incident date, placing his filing deadline around March 2028.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you believe your rights were violated during a police stop, consult a licensed civil rights attorney in your state.
Musarat Bano is a content writer for JudicialOcean.com who covers lawsuits, legal news, and general legal topics. Her work focuses on research-based, informational content developed from publicly available sources and is intended to support public awareness. She does not provide legal advice or professional legal services.
