Falsely Arrested: The Story of Tayvin Galanakis, Freshman Football Player at William Penn University
In recent news, 19-year-old Tayvin Galanakis, a freshman football player at William Penn University, was falsely arrested after performing sobriety tests and blowing zero on a breathalyzer test. The incident occurred on January 31st, 2023, when Galanakis was pulled over by police in Oskaloosa, Iowa, for an alleged traffic headlight violation.
According to Galanakis, the officer who pulled him over claimed to smell alcohol in his car and noticed Galanakis with “bloodshot watery eyes,” and subsequently administered a series of sobriety tests. Galanakis passed all the tests with ease, and when he was asked to take a breathalyzer test, he blew a zero, indicating that he had not consumed any alcohol. Despite this, he was still arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
He was taken to the county jail, where he spent several hours before being taken in to a medical and intoxication professional. After all tests, the intoxication recognition professional determined that Galanakis was infact not intoxicated. The false arrest has caused significant stress and trauma for Galanakis and his family, as well as his teammates and coaches at William Penn University.
Galanakis’ case highlights the issue of false arrests and police misconduct, particularly when it comes to DUI arrests. The consequences of a false DUI arrest can be devastating, leading to job loss, damage to reputation, and financial strain. It is not uncommon for individuals to face significant legal fees, lost wages, and other expenses as a result of a wrongful DUI arrest.
In Galanakis’ case, he was fortunate enough to have access to legal representation, and his charges were eventually dropped. However, not everyone is as lucky, and false DUI arrests continue to be a pervasive problem in the United States. The National Motorists Association estimates that up to 1.5 million Americans are wrongfully arrested for DUI each year.
The consequences of false DUI arrests are not just limited to individuals. They can also have a negative impact on society as a whole, leading to decreased trust in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Additionally, false arrests divert resources and attention away from more pressing issues and can result in innocent people being incarcerated.
The false arrest of Tayvin Galanakis is a stark reminder of the injustices that continue to plague our criminal justice system. It highlights the urgent need for police reform and accountability, particularly when it comes to racial profiling and misconduct. Galanakis and his family are fighting back against the false charges and the trauma they have endured, and their story is a powerful reminder of the need for justice and equality for all.
It is essential for law enforcement agencies to take steps to reduce the number of false DUI arrests and ensure that those who are wrongfully accused receive fair treatment under the law. This includes providing adequate training and resources for officers, implementing standardized protocols for sobriety testing, and holding officers accountable for misconduct.
As for Galanakis, he plans to use his experience to advocate for reform and raise awareness about the issue of false DUI arrests. His case serves as a reminder that everyone is entitled to fair treatment under the law, and that we must work towards a more just and equitable criminal justice system. His court hearing is on March 2022, despite all charges being dropped, Galanakis is suing the city for wrongful false arrest. Claiming that the arresting officer had “no reasonable suspicion” to administer any field sobriety tests when they pulled him over to begin with.
In an odd turn of events, the Newton Police officer, Nathan Winters, who arrested Galanakis is counter-suing him in court for defamation. This will happen at the same time as Galanakis’ court hearing. Watch the full uncut raw body-cam footage of the arrest here:
