Oklahoma State Senator Detained in Tense Traffic Stop Over Stop Sign Violation

TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma State Sen. Regina Goodwin was detained by a Tulsa County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop Saturday, Jan. 11, after allegedly running two stop signs. Body camera footage obtained by Fox News Digital captured the tense exchange between Goodwin and Deputy Freddie Alaniz, which escalated into a verbal confrontation and her eventual handcuffing.

The incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. near the 200 block of East Archer Street. Alaniz stated he observed Goodwin roll through two stop signs and speed through puddles, prompting the stop. Goodwin, a Democrat representing Oklahoma’s 11th District, refused to provide her driver’s license despite repeated requests from the deputy.

“Ma’am, I’m not going to ask you again. Can I get your driver’s license, or can I take you to jail on running a stop sign?” Alaniz said in the footage. “I’m not going to ask you again. It’s not for debate.”

Goodwin argued that the deputy was escalating the situation. “That is not true. That is not true at all. I was having a conversation, and you just all of a sudden said, ‘I’ll arrest you,'” she responded. Alaniz countered, “No, I said, ‘Or, I can arrest you if that’s what you want.'”

After more than a dozen requests for her license, Alaniz handcuffed Goodwin and placed her in his patrol vehicle. Her attorney, Mike Manning, arrived at the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation. “I realize Sen. Goodwin can be a little bit strong-headed at times, but don’t you think you can write her a citation or something? She’ll give you her driver’s license,” Manning said.

Alaniz agreed to release Goodwin but emphasized that her demeanor influenced his decision. “I was just going to give her a verbal warning and tell her not to do that, but her demeanor — the way that she was — I can’t have that,” he said. “If I don’t allow other people to do that when I do a traffic stop, I’m not going to allow her either.”

Goodwin was eventually released at the scene and issued a citation for failure to stop at a stop sign. She faces a Feb. 25 court appearance unless she pays the ticket beforehand. Goodwin, elected to the state Senate in 2024, previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2014 to 2024.

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and City Councilor Laura Bellis arrived at the scene after Goodwin was released. Nichols, who described Goodwin as a friend, said he stopped by to ensure her safety. “This is just someone who got pulled over who happens to be a state senator and a common friend that we have,” Nichols said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that happened.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Goodwin’s office for comment.