Report: Texas Sheriff Apologizes To Patriots Player, Defends Deputy

Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls said he has apologize to Patriots player Elandon Roberts for the action of the deputy who referred to his race and size.

During a news conference, Nehls said that he talked to Roberts and his attorney. The linebacker was pulled into the driveway of his home in Houston area. Deputy Adam Watkins ordered Roberts’ wife back inside.

“The way he interacted with his wife, I didn’t appreciate the tone,” Nehls said of his deputy.

Watkins was issued a verbal reprimand for his actions. However, Roberts was traveling 59mph in a 35 mph zone, and the ticket was charged to a warning at the deputy’s request.

Watkins talked to a colleague, and called Roberts a “big, black male.” Nehls said that his deputy was actually describing the driver.

Roberts wasn’t really happy with the whole thing.

“Unfortunately, these types of things are happening all too often to African Americans,” Roberts said in a statement. “People are becoming desensitized to them. Being harassed in your own yard simply because you are a ‘big black man’ should never become the norm. To the person being harassed, it is frightening, disrespectful and embarrassing.

“I have no interest in any financial gain from releasing this story. My only hope is that these types of bias-based traffic stops can end and that, perhaps, other black drivers might see how to deescalate a threatening situation.” 

The linebacker filed a complaint 10 days after the incident. He wrote that he “felt so harassed I couldn’t even remember where my insurance paper was in my car.”

Roberts’ attorney, Jennine Hovell-Cox has requested that the Fort Bend County District Attorney open an investigation into the incident. 

“My office directed her to contact the Internal Affairs Division at the Sheriff’s Department,” Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian M. Middleton revealed in an email. “If Mr. Roberts files a formal complaint, the matter will be investigated and possibly referred to the Texas Rangers for an independent investigation.”

“As a son, husband, and father, I share the concerns and fear of many,” said Kennard McGuire, Roberts’ agent. “We shouldn’t have to move in fear of those with the privilege and honor to protect and serve.”

The deputy has a different version of the whole thing.

“I haven’t even begun the traffic stop,” Watkins said. “The big black man who was driving got out of the car. I told him to get back in. He wouldn’t comply. I had to yell at him pretty hard to comply.”

“The citation was never processed by the sheriff’s department and sent for filing with the court,” said Hovell-Cox, Robert’s attorney. “We believe that once the dashcam footage was seen by Deputy Watkins’ supervisors and realizing who Elandon is, a decision was made to halt everything. Elandon started receiving phone calls from the sheriff’s office a few hours after the ‘stop,’ apologizing and telling him that the ticket was being ‘dismissed.’ ”

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