A former University of South Carolina football star and his wife, stopped Wednesday morning in western Nebraska while on a cross-country trip from Las Vegas to Columbia, South Carolina, have accused the Nebraska State Patrol of racial profiling.
The state patrol said Saturday it had completed its internal investigation of the traffic stop and found no evidence of racial profiling, nor any violations of state patrol policy.
“NSP takes all complaints seriously, especially any of the gravity of racial profiling,â€Â said Col. John Bolduc.Â
Marcus Lattimore’s wife, Miranda, said they were pulled over for going 80 in a 75 mph zone.
“Yes, we were speeding. But that does not warrant being taken out of our car, patted down, separated and put into two different vehicles, interrogated, accused of trafficking drugs and then we had to wait on a K-9 unit,†she posted on Twitter.
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I’ve been racially profiled before, but the events that just went down in Kimball, Nebraska were unspeakable. I can’t even begin to describe the numbness I felt when an officer asked my husband and myself to step out of our vehicle because I was “shaking.â€
— Miranda Lattimore (@MirandaLattimor)
We were pulled over for going 80 mph in a 75 mph zone. Yes, we were speeding. But that does not warrant being taken out of our car, patted down, separated and put into two different vehicles, interrogated, accused of trafficking drugs and then we had to wait on a K-9 unit
— Miranda Lattimore (@MirandaLattimor)
to come inspect our vehicle. An hour later, we weren’t even given a speeding ticket. Five police officers and a K-9 unit all for going 5 miles over the limit.
— Miranda Lattimore (@MirandaLattimor)
Officer asks , “any drugs in the car?â€
— Miranda Lattimore (@MirandaLattimor)
“No sirâ€
“any weapons in the vehicle?â€
“N´Ç.â€
“Then why are you shaking?â€
“Because I’m black.â€
This. Just. Happened.
We are still shaken up but we are moving on. We’ve filed a formal complaint with and they have taken this very seriously. Thank you all for your concern and also, please note this is just Twitter. The whole story isn’t here and so many other stories aren’t shared.
— Miranda Lattimore (@MirandaLattimor)
She said they were asked to step out of their vehicle because she was shaking.
Marcus Lattimore said an officer accused him of trafficking 30 pounds of cocaine and heroin, telling him: “Claim your drugs.†An hour later, they were allowed to go without receiving a speeding ticket.
“Five police officers and a K-9 unit all for going 5 miles over the limit,†Miranda Lattimore said.
Marcus Lattimore was cited for violation of the "move over law" and issued a warning for speeding. The patrol said he failed to move over when he passed another trooper conducting a different traffic stop.
Miranda Lattimore said she had been racially profiled before but described what happened near Kimball as “unspeakable.â€
They were shaken up but moving on after filing a formal complaint with the state patrol, which she said "have taken this very seriously.â€
The state patrol said Saturday it reached out to the Lattimores after seeing the social media posts to get more information.
Spokesman Cody Thomas said four officers and a patrol dog were involved in the stop — the trooper who pulled over the couple's Ford SUV, a sergeant and trainee who had been on a nearby traffic stop and arrived to assist, as is common practice, and the officer who arrived with the K9 unit.
Thomas said Miranda Lattimore stayed inside the SUV until the K9 unit arrived and was asked to leave so the dog could do an outside sniff. The dog did not find evidence of drugs and the car was not searched.
Bolduc said they are still in contact with the Lattimores and "welcome any feedback that may help NSP better serve Nebraska and visitors to our state.â€
Thomas also pointed out that all troopers undergo anti-bias training.
Marcus Lattimore played for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 2010 to 2012 and was drafted into the NFL by the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a down because of a knee injury. He recently left a position within the Gamecocks' football program.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LJSpilger
We are aware of the allegations involving a traffic stop that occurred this morning near Kimball. NSP takes complaints seriously and has a thorough process to diligently review each case.
— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol)
NSP is in contact with the motorists involved and the review process is already underway.