LEEDS, Ala. (Tribune) — Mary Everling, who was arrested by Leeds police on Jan. 14, appeared before a judge Friday. Police said Everin drove toward a traffic stop, blocked the roadway, honked his horn multiple times, obstructed the investigation and refused to comply with lawful orders.
Leeds Police posted on Facebook about the incident at Everlin and announced the arrest of an undocumented immigrant. The incident came as national media reported on ongoing unrest in Minnesota, including protesters disrupting ICE operations.
But before court began, Evelin said prosecutors approached her and told her the case was being dismissed without explaining why. She was relieved when the ordeal was over, but left with many questions, concerns about police decisions and a loss of $1,030.
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“It feels really good,” Eflin said. “I feel vindicated and it restores my faith in the justice system. I’m very grateful and humbled that this is over”
At the time of the incident, Evelyn was out looking for food and returned to find police cars blocking the road near her home.
According to Leeds police, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 7300 block of President Street. During the traffic stop, a man later identified as Jacob Garcia Martinez, 41, of Birmingham, was found in possession of methamphetamine and a stolen handgun. Police said Martinez was undocumented.
Evelin said she honked her horn to let police know she was trying to get to her home near the traffic stop, thinking she would be allowed through.
She said an officer approached her car and the confrontation escalated. The police told her she couldn’t get through and parked elsewhere.
“I wasn’t the best, but I didn’t do anything to justify any of this,” Eflin said.
She parked across the street, grabbed her food and walked home. She said she continued to watch the incident from her front porch. Ten to fifteen minutes later, she returned to her car and parked it in its normal location when she discovered police were waiting for a tow truck to tow away the suspect’s vehicle.
Evelin said that’s when police approached her a second time and arrested her for a previous exchange. She was taken to Leeds jail where she said she was held for two hours before posting bail of $1,030. Even after being fired, she said she never got her bail money back.
But the biggest surprise is yet to come. Nine days later, Leeds police shared details of Martinez and Everlin’s arrest in the same Facebook post. Evelin said the arresting officer never mentioned Martinez or told her he was undocumented.
“As a public service announcement, if we are at a traffic stop, if you interfere with a lawful traffic stop or arrest someone, whether they are an illegal alien or not, if the suspect is in possession of methamphetamine, stolen firearms, and drug paraphernalia, you will be arrested!” Leeds Police said in a Facebook post.
Evelyn was shocked to discover that her arrest was linked to Martinez’s arrest in a police department social media post. Not only did she not know Martinez, but she had never met him in person.
“When I got there, he was gone,” Everlin said. “I’ve never protested anything in my life.”
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According to a post on the Leeds Police Facebook page on Saturday, February 14, “There was no legal action, she paid the fine and it was dismissed! This happens all the time in misdemeanor cases. The judge did not review the body camera footage and the case was resolved by agreement and the defendant was the private prosecutor!”
Evelin said she did sign two documents in court but was unaware she had been fined.
The Tribune has reached out to Chief Paul Irving for clarification on the timeline of events and department policy. This story will be updated with any additional information provided.
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