https://theworldwatch.com/tags/punching-trooper/ Mon 22 Jun 2026 11:59:39 +0200 https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1616823/you-can-t-make-this-stuff-up/
Woman faces 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 after she pleaded guilty to punching a trooper during a Jacksonville traffic stop after she mistook the trooper for an ICE agent. Jennifer Cruz, a mother of four and a business owner, has also been charged with 14 state crimes, including battery on an officer, resisting an officer, and driving with a suspended license. In January, Cruz, who was acting as an activist, was filming and tailgating a car and a marked patrol car. She followed the trooper to a parking lot, where she started yelling at him. After the trooper found out that her Florida driver’s license was suspended, she drove away. After Cruz was stopped again, she refused to hand over her keys, telling the trooper she was “ready to fight.” When one of the troopers tried to grab her keys, Cruz punched her in the face, causing injuries to her nose and fingers. Cruz continued to refuse to comply with law enforcement, and while being escorted to the patrol car, she tried to kick the same trooper she had punched earlier. Later, when officers tried to secure her in the patrol vehicle, she kicked an ICE officer. Cruz arrested and transported to jail and later released on bail. Later she was arrested again after being indicted on the federal charge. ]]> Mon 22 Jun 2026 06:48:06 +0200 https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1616823/you-can-t-make-this-stuff-up/