Iowa, with its rolling hills and charming towns, is often seen as a picture of idyllic American life. But for Taven Galanakis, a freshman wide receiver at William Penn University, a trip back to his hometown of Newton, Iowa, turned into a harrowing experience that raised serious questions about justice and accountability.
A Routine Traffic Stop Takes an Unexpected Turn
On a rainy August night, Taven was driving back from a friend’s place, the camaraderie of a football night lingering. With one headlight out, he flicked on his high beams, a decision that would soon land him in a nightmare.
Newton Police Officer Nathan Winters pulled him over, the red and blue lights painting an ominous glow on the wet asphalt. The initial exchange about the headlights quickly escalated as Officer Winters, according to Taven, adopted a hostile demeanor and immediately questioned him about drinking.
“Right when he got to my window, just asking me if I had anything to drink right away,” Taven recounted to Law & Crime Network, “it was just one of those things, I was like, it’s gonna be like this.”
Taven Galanakis, a freshman at William Penn University
A Breathalyzer Test and a Shocking Accusation
Despite Taven’s insistence that he hadn’t consumed any alcohol, Officer Winters subjected him to a series of field sobriety tests. Taven, admittedly nervous, felt he was being scrutinized unfairly. “Maybe I don’t know, maybe I slurred my words a little bit because I was nervous,” he admitted, “but yeah this is basic nerves, you know what I’m saying.”
Throughout the ordeal, Taven repeatedly requested a breathalyzer test, confident in his sobriety. The body camera footage, later obtained and released by Taven, reveals him saying, “Let’s blow, let’s get to business.”
The breathalyzer test told a clear story: Taven blew a .00, indicating no alcohol in his system.
Body camera footage of Galanakis' breathalyzer test, showing a BAC of .00
Doubting the Undeniable: A Zero BAC Wasn’t Enough
Even with the irrefutable evidence of the breathalyzer, Officer Winters remained unconvinced. He began questioning Taven about marijuana use, an accusation Taven vehemently denied, citing his status as a college athlete subject to regular drug testing.
The body camera footage captures Taven’s frustration: “I blew a zero, so now you’re trying to think I smoke weed, that’s what’s going on.” He continues, “I don’t smoke weed. I play college football, I told you that. We get tested every Friday.”
Despite Taven’s pleas and the clear breathalyzer result, Officer Winters placed him under arrest for operating while intoxicated.
From Arrest to Advocacy: Seeking Justice and Exposing a Pattern
After a drug recognition expert confirmed Taven’s sobriety, the gravity of the situation set in. He decided to share his experience, posting the body camera footage online. The response was overwhelming. Taven’s story resonated with viewers, many sharing similar experiences of alleged misconduct by the Newton Police Department.
The video, viewed over a million times, sparked a public outcry and emboldened Taven to pursue legal action. He filed a lawsuit against the city of Newton and its police department, alleging violation of his civil rights and false arrest.
Taven Galanakis’s experience, tragically, is not an isolated incident. His courage to speak out, however, shines a light on the urgent need for police accountability and the importance of due process. His story serves as a stark reminder that justice should be a right, not a privilege, and that the fight for fairness and equality continues.