Levi Trumbull’s arrest happened on the night of March 29, 2025, when a Frederick County, Maryland sheriff’s deputy pulled him over on suspicion of running a red light, took him into custody after he declined field sobriety tests, and booked him at the detention center, where a breathalyzer registered 0.00%. He was released with two traffic citations, both of which were dismissed the week of May 8, 2025, after the arresting deputy failed to appear in court.1Radio Free Hub City. Traffic Citations Against Frederick Reporter Dismissed After Deputy Fails to Appear in Court
The Traffic Stop
The stop occurred around 9:40 p.m. near Route 355 and Lowes Lane. Deputy First Class Roush of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office alleged Trumbull had rolled through a red light. In his report, Roush described Trumbull as showing possible signs of impairment: bloodshot eyes, jaw clenching, and irregular speech patterns.2Radio Free Hub City. Driver in Frederick Knew His Rights, Police Did Not Appear to Understand Maryland DUI Laws
Body camera footage from the stop reportedly showed no visible signs of intoxication, and Radio Free Hub City’s review suggested the redness in Trumbull’s eyes could be explained by the cruiser’s flashing red lights.3Radio Free Hub City. After Watching This Arrest Video, I Won’t Be Doing Business in Frederick County, Maryland
The Field Sobriety Refusal and the Probable Cause Question
When Deputy Roush asked Trumbull to perform field sobriety tests, Trumbull declined and said he saw no reason to provide grounds for an arrest. Roush told him that refusing the tests gave the deputy probable cause to arrest him. Trumbull was placed in custody and his vehicle was impounded.2Radio Free Hub City. Driver in Frederick Knew His Rights, Police Did Not Appear to Understand Maryland DUI Laws
That exchange sits at the center of the case. Under Maryland Code ยง 16-205.1(a)(1)(iv), the “test” covered by the state’s implied consent law is a chemical test of breath or blood for alcohol or drug concentration. It is not a walk-and-turn, a one-leg stand, or any other roadside physical exercise. Refusing those voluntary exercises does not, on its own, establish probable cause for a DUI arrest under Maryland law, and Radio Free Hub City’s analysis of the footage concluded that Roush’s on-scene statement appeared to conflate the two categories.2Radio Free Hub City. Driver in Frederick Knew His Rights, Police Did Not Appear to Understand Maryland DUI Laws
What the Testing Showed
At the detention center, Trumbull took a breathalyzer test. The result was 0.00%. A Drug Recognition Expert from the Maryland State Police was brought in to evaluate him and was unable to identify any signs of substance use.2Radio Free Hub City. Driver in Frederick Knew His Rights, Police Did Not Appear to Understand Maryland DUI Laws
Trumbull was released. He was issued two traffic citations, one for running the red light and one for failing to provide a driver’s license during the stop. The official case report classified the matter as “Police Information,” with no formal arrest recorded.1Radio Free Hub City. Traffic Citations Against Frederick Reporter Dismissed After Deputy Fails to Appear in Court
Both Citations Dismissed
Both citations were dismissed the week of May 8, 2025, after Deputy Roush did not appear at the scheduled court date. The citations were set to be expunged from Trumbull’s record.1Radio Free Hub City. Traffic Citations Against Frederick Reporter Dismissed After Deputy Fails to Appear in Court Radio Free Hub City also filed a Maryland Public Information Act request seeking additional records from the Sheriff’s Office on the incident.3Radio Free Hub City. After Watching This Arrest Video, I Won’t Be Doing Business in Frederick County, Maryland
A Separate Dispute With the School Board
Trumbull’s name also appears in a separate Frederick County matter that is unrelated to the traffic stop. He filed a complaint with the Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board alleging that on November 5, 2025, the Frederick County Board of Education prevented him from entering a meeting room because he declined to show government-issued identification. He said he was there to observe an open session, not to give public comment. The compliance board issued an advisory opinion finding that the board’s Policy 102, which requires speakers to provide a name matching a government ID along with proof of residency or other local ties, was legal as applied to public commenters. The opinion did not resolve the broader question about requiring ID simply to attend and observe.4Yahoo News. State Compliance Board Finds No Violation in Frederick County Board of Education Meeting Policy