Manassas woman alleges police discrimination

MANASSAS PARK, Va. - A routine traffic stop has sparked a complaint of police discrimination in a community where tensions are already high over immigration.

On Monday night, a Manassas Park Police officer pulled over 38-year-old Agueda Dominguez at the intersection of Mathis Avenue and Manassas Drive in Manassas Park - not far from where Dominguez lives and works.

At the time, Dominguez was on her way to a meeting with a mortgage broker who was helping to save her house from foreclosure.

The mother of three and immigrant from El Salvador has had financial trouble since her husband died several years ago.

Dominguez has been in the United States legally for 11 years, and has a work permit and driver's license.

But when she was pulled over, Dominguez - who doesn't speak English - did not have her driver's license with her. Dominguez says she gave the officer her green card and social security card.

Speaking through an interpreter, Dominguez tells WTOP the trouble began when the police officer tried to give her a ticket for a burned out headlight on her used Isuzu Trooper.

"I told him I wanted someone speaking in Spanish before I signed [the ticket] because I didn't know what I was being pulled over for," says Dominguez, who still has bruises on her face and arms.

Dominguez refused to sign the ticket.

"By the third time he told me to get out - I hadn't gotten out because I was scared - he sprayed me with pepper spray," Dominguez says.

Dominguez says the officer kicked her and pulled her hair, then handcuffed and arrested her for resisting arrest. She was taken to a local hospital and treated for facial injures.

On Tuesday, a judge released Dominguez until a future court date, noting she had a clean driving record.

Speaking at a convenience store near where the incident took place, some of Dominguez's friends say her arrest was a clear case of discrimination.

Dominguez plans to file a formal complaint after consulting a lawyer.

Police would not comment on the specifics of the case. Manassas Park Police Maj. Mark Matthews says an internal probe is underway.

The officer - whom Channel 7 has identified as Lt. Rupert Prinz - was also injured in the incident, Matthews says.

Virginia state law requires an officer to arrest anyone who refuses to sign a ticket.

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