Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Florida Highway Patrol trooper Wednesday afternoon after an investigation into allegations the trooper inappropriately touched a female driver whom he encountered on a traffic stop. Trooper David Gonzalez, 35, was arrested for Battery and booked in to the Lake County Detention Center this afternoon.
The victim, a 21-year-old female, reported that she was pulled over by Trooper Gonzalez earlier this month for speeding along U.S. Hwy.441 in the area of the VIA|Port Mall in Leesburg. She stated Gonzalez had her move her vehicle down a side street after complimenting her on her looks. The victim further stated that she was asked to step out of her car, at which time Gonzalez took her phone and added himself to her SnapChat account and then had her take a “selfie” of the two of them. According to the victim, Gonzalez then proceeded to the point at which he hugged her, kissed her, and groped her breast against her will.
On Tuesday, detectives monitored a SnapChat conversation between the victim and Gonzalez, during which Gonzalez made statements that confirmed the victim’s account of the traffic stop.
He was booked on a charge of battery at the Lake County Jail. Bond was set at $10,000.
