Tarantino Tampon Lawsuit: Florida Woman Claims Cops Forcibly Removed Tampon During Roadside Strip Search
Citrus County, FL – Leila Tarantino filed a lawsuit against Florida police officers which claims the cops forcibly removed her tampon while “wielding” guns during a routine traffic stop. The Tarantino tampon lawsuit also notes the woman maintains the strip search was conducted in full view of her children and was allegedly prompted as part of a drug search, although no drug-sniffing dogs were called to the scene, according to The Blaze.
The Florida woman claims she was tossed in the back of a patrol car without being given an explanation as to why she was detained by police officers. Five other officers were called to the scene for back-up, and Tarantino claims she was then strip searched by a female officer who removed her tampon to further inspect her body for drugs.
Leila Tarantino was given a citation for violating restrictions on her driver’s license after the traffic stop and alleged strip search and tampon removal, according to the Broward Palm Beach New Times.
The tampon lawsuit filed earlier this month against the Citrus County Police Department does not name the officers allegedly involved in the strip search, but County Sheriff Jeffrey Dawsey is noted in the court filing. The police officers accused by Tarantino are referred to simply as Jane Doe Officer and John Doe Officers 1-5 in the Florida law enforcement lawsuit. According to the Tarantino lawsuit documents, the plaintiff was driving in Beverly hills, Florida with her baby and toddler in the afternoon when stopped by Citrus County law enforcement officers.
Leila Tarantino claims she came to a complete stop at the intersection but was waved over to the side of the road by police officers. Tarantino claims the officer pulled his weapon and pointed it at her, ordered her out of the vehicle, and placed her in handcuffs.
Tarantino claims she was held at the scene for approximately two hours while her 1-year-old baby and 4-year-old toddler were left alone in her car. She further claims she was strip searched twice on the side of the busy road in view of passing cars and then had her tampon forcibly removed by a female officer.
