Man's Tesla video leads to acquittal, police officer's resignation

Updated: 7:28 AM CDT Oct 22, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Justin Schecker Investigative Reporter

A Florida man said a judge found him not guilty at trial after video recorded by a camera on his Tesla was shown in court.

More than two years later, the arresting officer resigned from the Winter Springs Police Department.


Kevin Finley said he feels vindicated now that the officer, who falsely accused him of fleeing and then detained him at gunpoint outside his garage in 2024, has left the force.

 I feel it's the first step, yeah, there's some accountability, finally,  Finley told sister station WESH.  It's a little bit of relief. I feel like the community is a lot safer now. 

Officer Erik Schwartz can be heard on his body camera video telling Finley to  turn around, get on your knees,  before he placed him in handcuffs for 33 minutes.

 I was very scared,  Finley said.  I had no clue what was going on. 



Finley was driving home after dropping his children off at daycare. He said he wasn't trying to flee because he didn't see the lights or hear the sirens when Officer Schwartz initiated a traffic stop near his house for driving through an intersection at a high rate of speed.

Finley was never charged with felony fleeing and eluding.

 So, here's the deal: you're not going to jail today,  Schwartz told Finley in the body camera video.  You are going to be issued multiple citations for your driving. You're also receiving a criminal citation for the reckless driving. 



The next day, Finley said he went to the Winter Springs Police Department and  explained to them like, 'Hey, I have video, like, we can clear this right up?' And they just didn't care. 



When Finley's case went to trial in July, he proved he never saw the officer coming after him with video recorded by the camera on the back of his Tesla.

 Ah, it made me feel great,  Finley said.  Like, I love the car even more now, you know? It saved me from jail time, which was amazing. 

Right before jury deliberations, the judge acquitted Finley of hi
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