Let's not do that. [screaming] >> You're not going to get anywhere like that. >> [ __ ] you. >> Okay. >> I need to go home >> in the morning. >> No. Right now. >> On the night of December 6th, 2022, [music] somewhere in the back of a Crystal Lake, Illinois police cruiser, a young woman sat in handcuffs. Her wrists were locked behind her back. An officer sat in the front seat processing paperwork and this young woman who had just been arrested who was facing multiple felony charges. >> Oh, [music] I have a right to not let you search my car. >> We're not We're not doing this. >> I have a right to not let you search my car. >> We're not We're not doing this. So, come on. Let's go. Get back. >> You know my right. And you know I have a right to not let you search my car. >> Okay, listen. >> What happened before that moment and what happened after is one of the most unbelievable police encounters ever captured on body camera. I'm sorry. Hello. >> Hi. I'm Officer Coster with Crystal Lake Police Department. Um, we're just talking to you because we got a comp a couple complaints um that you might have been swerving on the road or >> I don't think I >> You don't think you were? Maybe it was a phone. You're on your phone or for something or >> No. >> And it started with a lie. It began the way most traffic stops begin. Quietly. Officer Coer of the Crystal Lake Police Department had received reports of a vehicle [music] swerving dangerously on the road. >> No, I'm just a bad driver. I failed this twice. >> Okay. >> I'm >> trust me. I'm trying to drive nice. >> Hey, we need you to step out, okay? We're going to You're going to come and talk with us over here. Okay. >> All right, my dear. Here, put your butt right against there. >> And what the officer found was a young woman who appeared at first glance to be entirely cooperative. Her name was Ellie. [music] She was a college student. She was polite. She answered questions. She seemed calm. >> This officer is going to ask you some questions. Okay. So, have you been drinking at all tonight? No. You just maybe on your phone or something? >> Maybe. >> Where are you coming from, >> Carrie? I just am on my music a lot. >> Your musical? Okay. Do you have your ID? >> She had been sober for 6 and 1/2 months. Case closed. Nothing to see here. But the officer had been called to this location because someone had reported her swerving. >> I can check. >> I just need to improve. >> Look at where you're reaching, my dear. It's right there. Okay. All right. You good? >> Yes. I'm sorry. I'm just stressed. I don't Why are you so stressed? >> Cuz I've been pulled over like once before. >> Okay, here. Put your >> She believed this interaction was going to end with her driving away. It was not going to end that way. [music] >> Put your Put your butt right back there. Okay. >> 2004. How old does that make you? >> That makes me 18. >> 18. Okay. >> What's your first name? >> Ellie. >> Ellie. Hey, Ellie. Do you know what time it is right now? >> No. Without looking, guess. >> Um about like 6:30. >> Okay. Okay. It's only like it's right now it's uh 7:15. Is there anything that you did today that you think in terms of medications, alcohol, uh prescribed, not prescribed drugs? >> So, he continued asking questions. Had she taken any substances? [music] She admitted to smoking marijuana the previous day, but insisted it had no effect on her driving. >> Weed? Anything like that that you took today that you think would impair your driving? >> No. >> Okay. Did Have you had any alcoholic beverages today? No, I have been sober for 6 and a half months. >> Okay. What about um marijuana? Any marijuana today? Okay. When was the last time you smoked marijuana? >> I'm sober from alcohol, but not marijuana, but marijuana was probably like yesterday or two days ago. >> Yesterday or two days ago. >> I don't think it would impair my driving today. >> Okay. All right. Um so, since you've been at Target, you have not consumed any alcoholic beverages. Okay. and they could check the cameras and see that I Okay. >> And it started with a lie. It began the way most traffic stops begin. >> Okay. >> Um, is there anything illegal that you may have in the car? >> No. >> Okay. So, you have no alcohol in the car? >> No. >> Okay. No cannabis, weed in the car. No prescription medication not prescribed to you or any other drugs in the car. >> Um, like what's it called? Uh what's it called when you take things that are like extra vitamins for you? >> Like multivitamins >> kind of, but like uh no. >> She answered questions. She seemed calm. >> If it's something like over the counter, I'll talk about how they sell them at Target. >> That's not That's not right. >> Supplements. That's what Yes, I've taken some supplements. >> Again, our concern is we had two people call in saying that you were swerving on the road and we just wanted to make sure you're okay to drive >> and and stumbling. That's why That's why >> after they saw you get out of your car. >> I pro I promise you I am. >> So So So I >> You could literally call my boyfriend and tell you how clumsy I am. >> So So So here's the deal, though. Okay, I appreciate it. All right, I appreciate what you're saying to me. However, we have a little bit of a problem. Okay, so I'm going to give you an opportunity to be honest with me, okay? Because when you opened your door, I saw the bottle of vodka that's in your driver's side of your door. >> I don't have any. >> Okay. Well, I saw it. >> Well, >> hold on. I don't I don't want you I don't want you reaching in your car. >> Well, I you could open the door. >> Okay. I'll open the door. You can stand with Officer Cer right here. >> I'm just saying I don't have a bottle of God. >> And then the 6 and 1/2 month sobriety story died because when Ellie opened her driver's side door, officer Coer saw something that she clearly did not want him to see. Then my side door open. >> Okay. >> You're okay with me opening and looking? >> Maybe she saw it wrong or something. Okay. What is she? >> She can open and look at it. Okay. >> So, okay. So, now we have a problem. Okay. >> What? >> I have a I have a really big problem. >> What? >> Okay. Now, we're not cool. >> Why? >> Okay. And I'll explain to you why we're not cool. Because I saw >> it there. >> I promise you it wasn't there. your everything's on video. Okay. So now what we're going to do is I'm going to have you stand by with these officers and I'm going to search your vehicle. >> You don't have the warrant to do that. >> Actually, I have probable. >> And when officer Coster asked her the standard question, have you had anything to drink tonight? >> Cause cuz I observed alcohol. >> You don't have warrant to do that. >> Because I observed >> I have a right to not let you search my car. >> Okay. So >> I have a right to not let my car unfortunately. >> No, I have a right to not let you search my car. We're not We're not doing this. >> I have a right to not let you search my car. >> We're not We're not doing this. Come on. Let's go. Get back. >> You know my right. And you know I have a right to not let you search my car. >> Okay. Listen. >> No weed in the center council. There's a there's a pipe. I see. >> She gave an answer that would become the first of many lies captured on this body cam. >> Don't have a right to search my car. >> Listen to me. >> They don't. I've been I've been pulled over before and I know you don't have a right to search my car. >> Chill out. Okay. >> I know. I don't want to have to put you in handcuffs right now. I know you don't have a right to search my car. >> It's an exception to the law. It's called a mobile conveyance. >> You guys looked in my car before. You have a right to search my car and you saw the weed and so you you don't have a right to search my car. >> It's also plain view. Yes. >> You don't have a right to search my car. >> I do. >> No, you don't. >> No, you don't. We don't want to put you in like that. >> I'm telling you all the time, dear. >> I'm telling you for a fact you don't have you don't have a right to search my car. So, listen to me. This is going to go one of two ways. Okay. >> She believed this interaction was going to end with her driving away. It was not going to end that way. >> I would rather not put you in handcuffs. I don't want to put you in hand in handcuffs. Okay. I don't want to. >> You're cooperative. We can figure this out and work through it. >> I'm just saying you can't search my car without a warrant with seeing a bowl in my car. You can't search my car without a warrant. >> So, I know the law probably >> I know the law because I've looked it up and I know you can't search my car without a warrant. So, I'm not allowing you to. I'm giving you one of two choices. >> I know you can't search my car without a warrant. You guys know this. >> These are your choices. You can go stand by that squad car with these two gentlemen. Okay, that's your that's your first choice. If you do not want to do that, your second choice is I'm going to put you in here. >> And this is where Ellie's night went from a traffic stop to a catastrophe. Because instead of accepting the situation, instead of staying quiet, calling a lawyer, and dealing with it in court like any rational person would, she chose a different path. She chose to fight the cops. Okay. >> Which search my car without a warrant? >> Which do you choose? I'm going to give you I'm I'm not arguing with you. I'm going to I'm going to give you one opportunity right now. >> You can't search my car without a warrant. >> It's all on body cam. >> You can't search my car without a warrant. No, you can turn around. >> I turn around. >> Do not handcuff me. >> We're not going to do this. We're not going to do this. >> Chill. Turn around. >> Please don't handcuff me. I'll go with the car. I'll go with the car right now. Please don't handcuff me. >> We already spoke about this. We gave you the option. >> Don't handcuff me. I'll go to the car with them right now. Please. >> I'll go to the car with them right now. Please. We're not. We're not going to do this. Ellie, stop. You got to >> I can't be handcuffed. Please. I'm trying to walk to the car. I CAN'T GO. >> STOP. OKAY. Right now, you're being placed under arrest. Okay. For um Well, we're going to figure it out. It's at least uh we'll go illegal consumption of alcohol by a y minor right now. And in those 10 minutes, Ellie Masukovich transformed from a cooperative college student into someone that an outkick journalist would later describe as exhibiting joker level behavior >> now. Okay. Do you HAVE [screaming] >> Let's not do this. >> Stop it. >> Stop it. >> I CAN'T BE IN THAT. >> I CAN'T BE IN THAT. [screaming] >> STOP, ELLIE. >> ELLIE, WE'RE not doing this. >> I can't. We're not doing this. I said, "Take me out of the >> TAKE ME OUT OF THE HANDCUFFS." >> ELLIE, STOP. >> TAKE ME OUT OF THE HANDCUFFS THEN. >> LISTEN. >> TAKE ME OUT OF THE [ __ ] HANDCUFF. [screaming] >> ELLIE, STOP. >> TAKE ME OUT OF THE HAND. >> SHE WAS SCREAMING THIS AT police officers who were attempting to conduct a lawful search of a vehicle that contained an open container of alcohol. >> Stop. >> I got to This is making worse for yourself. Come on. >> Take them out. [screaming] Take them off. >> Listen to me. Take a deep breath. Listen to me. >> Can you please take a deep breath? >> You do you understand? >> You have to stop screaming. >> I have a scar. >> Stop screaming. Stop screaming. >> Take a deep breath right now. >> Stop talking. >> Take a deep breath. >> Stop talking. >> Take a deep breath. >> I'm talking. >> Listen to me. You can't fight with us. >> I will. Just please take me out. >> I cannot take you out of the handcuffs because of how out of control you're being right now. >> I'll sit in this car >> if you chill out. I'll sit in this car if you please take the handcuffs off. >> Well, I cannot have you unhandcuffed. It's my policy. I can get fired for it. >> I'll I will stay in this car the entire time. >> Well, I'm going to need you to stay in the car anyway, but I promise. >> Thank you. >> I just Okay, she >> You don't know. Listen. >> The alcohol that she claimed she had not consumed was making it impossible for her to process information, assess consequences, or make a single rational decision. >> I didn't even do anything wrong. It was Ellie. >> Please take off the No, do not buckle me. >> Then I'm not going to buckle. Please take off the handcuffs because I I I can't with handcuffs. Please. Please >> chill. You have to chill out. >> Please take off the handcuffs. Please. >> Right now, I can't. You know why? >> I'll sit here if you take off the handcuffs. If not, I'll run out. >> Ellie, listen to me, okay? Because of everything that just happened, I need to ensure that you're safe. How about we try to do some breathing? Okay. >> He can buckle me up if you take off the handcuffs. Please. >> He can't buckle me up. >> So, listen. This is the deal. If you keep fighting like this, >> a charge that an Illinois carries serious prison time. In the span of minutes, [music] a 20-year-old college student who had been pulled over for swerving had turned a traffic citation into a criminal record that would follow her for the rest of her life. My sergeant's on his way here and he has this device called the wrap and it completely restrains you. If you can't calm yourself down the [laughter] way we are now, I am going to have to put you in that and I don't want to do that. So, we have to stop. >> Uh we were in a driving complaint uh swerving over road and then we stumbled across her. She entered her car and there was >> that car. >> Yes. Vodka and a bowl in the >> You guys made contact with her when she came outside, right? >> Correct. >> Okay. And then she was kind of combative with us. >> Okay. >> What if I didn't drive under the influence? What if I just drank it here? >> I didn't drive under the influence. >> Well, well, >> you could breathize me right now and it would come up as more recent. >> That's for sweetheart. That's for you to fight in court. >> She was placed in the back of the squad car. And the meltdown did not stop. It got worse. >> Okay, I'll fight that and I'll say that I was going to have someone come pick me up here. >> That's fine. >> I was I was calling myster. I'm okay with that. You can, sweetheart. You can fight that in court, but right now you're under arrest. So this is what I have to do. >> I have to take you to the police department. >> Please don't. >> And if I take you to the police department, that's when the cuffs are going to come off quicker. >> So the cuff? >> No. [crying] >> All right. Well, listen to me. If I put your seatelt on, we can get you there in 5 minutes and the handcuffs will come off. >> Sweetheart, we'll figure it all out. Okay. Can I put your seatelt on now? Can we go? Can we go? >> The back of a police car is designed to be uncomfortable. The seats are hard plastic. The space is cramped. The partition between the front and back seats is thick and unyielding. It is not a place for negotiation. It is [music] not a place for arguments. It is a place where you sit quietly and contemplate the series of decisions that brought you here. >> Go to get these handcuffs off you, Ellie. >> I just want to drive home. >> I know. Mr. Burillo is going to hand me this so I can put it on. >> Can you call her instead of my >> I will. Yes, I can. Yes, I'll call your sister for you. >> Absolutely. Wait, can you get my phone from my car so I know what >> What else do you need? You need your phone. Do you need anything else from your car? >> Just my phone. >> Okay. We're going to get you to the police department so I can get these off. >> Tell her to not tell my parents. AND >> I CAN'T WEAR HANDCUFFS. >> APPARENTLY, the longer we fight, the longer you're going to be in handcuffs. >> Just please take me to the station and call my sister. >> If you can chill out, then good. That we're on our way. >> JUST [clears throat and snorts] [screaming] >> ELLIE. ELLIE, what was I talking about earlier? Take a DEEP BREATH. RIGHT. >> [screaming] >> ELLIE, I'M REALLY TRYING TO PREVENT YOU FROM BEING WRAPPED, but you're going to put me in. [laughter] >> You know your sister's number. >> She informed the officers again that they did not have her consent. She told them they were violating her rights. >> That's why they're getting my phone. I just said that, dumbass. Are you drunk? Dumbass. You can't take my vapes, though, cuz my parents buy those for me. You can't take those from me. My parents buy those for me and I'm 18 and that used to be the age. So, you can't take those from me. >> You can't have them in the back seat. We'll just put it back in the car. How's that? >> No, you're going to take it then. You can't take it from me or else you have to give me $27. >> There was a vape in between. >> Okay. So, this is the deal. I need to take the vape. >> No, you can't. Come on. >> You can't then give me $27 cuz I just paid all my I paid. >> She told them she knew the law. She did not know the law. She knew nothing except that she [music] was handcuffed. She was scared. And the night was getting worse with every word she spoke. >> I'm going to I'm going to put it in your car. Okay. You're going to put it in your car. >> I'm going to put it in your car right now. Okay. >> Can I hit it first? >> No, you cannot. >> I'm really stressed. >> Then you can't take it. >> Don't take it. Don't take it. I need it first. >> Cuz you are just playing games, girl. >> No, I just want my nicotine. >> Okay. Well, you can have it. I told you I'm going to leave it in your car cuz you're you're right. It's not illegal to possess, but my parents bought it for me. They're 21. They can buy it, and I can have it. I just want to hit it before. >> Ellie Masukovich looked at the officer and asked a question so absurd, so perfectly timed, so completely disconnected from the reality. >> That's what she said. >> No, cuz I told you not to hit it. >> What? She told me it was going to >> Yeah, but [clears throat] she also told you not to hit it. >> GOING TO GO IN MY CAR. Please put it in my car. I just paid $27 for that. I'm broke as hell. And I need that. Please, please put it in my car. Please. >> Take a deep breath. >> What is in your What's in your pants right here? Is it just your I don't reach. Do not reach. >> Oh, okay. We have a retail theft. >> No. >> We're going to pull her out and she going to search her completely. And if we have to put her back in the car and put her in the racket. Okay. >> Got her out. Search. >> Yep. Yep. >> Ellie, are you okay? Don't put you in the right Don't know what you're reaching for. Stop reaching for >> I'm not reaching for anything. >> Her blood alcohol content would later be recorded. Her college career was in freef fall. >> Ellie, what I'm going to do is a little bit more of a thorough search. Just like that. >> But you can't touch me. >> I give you not permission to touch. >> I don't give you permission to touch me. I don't give you PERMISSION TO [screaming] TOUCH ME. I DON'T GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO TOUCH ME. I DON'T GIVE [screaming] YOU PERMISSION TO TOUCH ME. JUST CUZ YOU'RE OUT [screaming] >> FOR YOURSELF. JUST MAKING IT WORSE FOR YOURSELF, ELLIE. >> JUST CUZ YOU'RE WITH the law does THAT MEAN YOU CAN TOUCH ME FOR YOURSELF WITHOUT CONSENT? >> YOU'RE JUST MAKING IT WORSE FOR YOURSELF. >> TOUCH ME [screaming] WITHOUT CONSENT. YOU CAN'T TOUCH ME WITHOUT CONSENT. YOU CAN'T TOUCH ME WITHOUT CONSENT. >> CAN you guys hold on to that? >> I DON'T WANT MEN touching me without >> The thing that terrified Ellie Masukovich most in that moment was the possibility that her boyfriend would break up WITH HER. [screaming] STOP TOUCHING ME. >> WRAP HER FEET RIGHT NOW. >> Old man. Come here. >> STOP TOUCHING ME. >> OKAY, I GOT >> TOUCHING ME. >> HEY, LISTEN. >> YOU HAVE TO STOP, ELLIE. >> STOP FIGHTING. [screaming] >> STOP FIGHTING. >> Stop fight. And somewhere in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a boyfriend was about to get a phone call that no relationship GUIDE PREPARES YOU FOR. >> STOP FIGHTING. [screaming] >> Let me stand up and not be hurt by this [ __ ] handcuff. Blue lights are you guys. >> She's like lower. >> YOU GUYS ARE ABUSING ME. I'M GOING TO BRING you all the [ __ ] court, YOU [ __ ] I'M GOING TO BRING >> You're making it worse for yourself. STOP. [screaming] >> The meltdown did not end at the squad car. It continued through the doors of the police station, through the booking area, and into the holding cell. [screaming] Go ahead. [screaming] >> Set her up. >> Set her up. >> Knee back. Forward. Back. >> YOU [ __ ] >> ELLIE, if you continue to dig your nails into me, >> I'm going to dig them as deep as you're digging those handcuffs. And >> Ellie Masukovich screamed her way through the entire process. fingerprinting, booking photos, charge sheets with the same energy she had brought to the traffic stop. >> You dick. [ __ ] the cops, bro. >> [ __ ] hate all of you guys. >> Ellie, are you injured? >> Yes, my [ __ ] wrist. >> Okay, >> [ __ ] [ __ ] you. >> Double check your cuffs. >> Stop digging your fingernails into my >> fight him. He can't check your cuffs. >> They hurt. They hurt. >> HOLD ON. STOP. [screaming] I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU. >> Trying to help. >> I'm trying to help you. >> All of it. It hurts. >> She was under 21 in Illinois. Any detectable amount of alcohol for a [music] person under 21 constitutes illegal consumption. >> Hurts. >> You have to stop. You're pulling on it. >> It hurts. >> Okay, stop so we can fix it. Okay. >> Hey. >> All right. Just put her in. >> I did that on purpose. >> You can just take her straight to >> What the What? >> Oh god. Oh, they'll lift her up to 1 2 3. >> Dude, I'm going to [ __ ] bring you guys to court. >> She was not just over the limit for a minor. She was at a level that impaired her judgment, her motor skills, and every decision she had made since the moment the officer's lights went on behind her. >> It hurts. >> Stop fighting. >> I'm not It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. [screaming] >> What had started as a car swerving on a road in Crystal Lake had become a felony arrest with a booking photo that would live on the internet forever. >> My wrists and my stomach. I told you this. I can't be in handcuffs. Had I told you that? Well, you have no >> 45 minutes ago. Just bring me to the regular police station and call my sister or else I will cause a fit. [music] Who has my vape? Who is going to answer? Who has my vape? My boyfriend's going to kill me. He's going to break up with me. YOUR BOYFRIEND'S GONNA BREAK UP WITH ME. [screaming] >> [screaming] [screaming] >> Can I >> because Ellie Masukovich did not just ruin her night. She did it on camera. She did it loudly. And the internet would make sure she never forgot it. >> Sister, please bail me out for $100. Why are YOU GUYS ANSWERING? WHY [screaming] ARE YOU ANSWERING? I'm stuck. Help me. Help me, PLEASE. [screaming] >> [panting] >> Hey Ellie, we're almost there. >> Don't hit your head so you don't fall again. Okay. >> Please get me there. So that's what we're doing. >> Yeah, we're right there. >> Will it take $100? Will it take Will it take $100? Can you please answer me? >> Talk to me when you get there. >> Will it take $100 for my >> Don't do that again. >> IT HURTS. >> [screaming] >> [ __ ] YOU. PLEASE let me out. Thank you. >> Please unbuckle this. I need to get out. I need to get out. >> All right, we're going to get you out. Okay, I'm going to put this on your head. Okay, >> I can't breathe. I'm thirsty. Get it out of my mouth. Get it out of my mouth. Get these candles OFF OF ME. GET IT OUT OF MY MOUTH. She wrote the first chapter of a story she will never be able to ere. >> You're not going to get anywhere like that. >> [ __ ] you. >> Okay. >> I NEED TO GO HOME >> in the morning. >> NO. RIGHT [screaming] NOW. >> NO. When you calm down, let me know and I'll get you booked in the process and I'll get you on the phone. But you have to show me that you're going to calm down and you're going to behave. I need you. >> Okay, >> you will in the morning. >> No, I need you right now. >> No. So, Ellie, >> calm down. Ellie, calm down. When you calm down, let me know. Okay, I'm here. >> The charges were stat driving under the influence, aggravated battery to a peace officer, a felony that could result in years of prison time, retail theft, an additional charge that emerged during the processing, and illegal possession of alcohol by a minor. four charges, one traffic stop, one night, and a college [music] career that had just been redefined by a body cam. What had started as a car swerving on a road in Crystal Lake had become a felony arrest with a booking photo that would live on the internet forever. Because Ellie Masukovich did not just ruin her night. She did it on camera. She did it loudly. And the internet would make sure she never forgot