Florida Woman Charged with DUI After Handing Officer Barnes & Noble Gift Card Instead of License

Kami Ellis, 52, was pulled over in Tampa for driving the wrong way and jumping a curb.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:13am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a Barnes & Noble gift card against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash. The card is slightly crumpled and worn, conveying a sense of carelessness and the consequences of poor decision-making.A Barnes & Noble gift card becomes an unexpected prop in a DUI arrest, highlighting the serious consequences of drunk driving.Today in Tampa

A 52-year-old Florida woman was arrested for driving under the influence after being pulled over for erratic driving and handing a police officer a Barnes & Noble gift card instead of her driver's license. Kami Ellis was found to have a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of drunk driving and the importance of responsible behavior behind the wheel. It also raises questions about the mental state of the driver and whether there were any underlying issues contributing to the alleged behavior.

The details

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Ellis was pulled over around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday after a deputy noticed her vehicle traveling the wrong way and jumping a curb. When the officer asked Ellis for her license, she initially handed him a credit card before mistakenly providing a Barnes & Noble gift card instead. The video footage shows Ellis struggling to shut off her car and having difficulty standing upright during the traffic stop.

  • Kami Ellis was pulled over around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • Ellis was later released on a $1,000 bond.

The players

Kami Ellis

A 52-year-old Florida resident who was arrested for driving under the influence after being pulled over for erratic driving and handing a police officer a Barnes & Noble gift card instead of her driver's license.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that arrested Kami Ellis and released body camera footage of the traffic stop.

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What they’re saying

“You feeling okay?”

— Police Officer

“Yeah, I'm good.”

— Kami Ellis

“You don't know how to shut your car off?”

— Police Officer

“That's a Barnes & Noble gift card.”

— Police Officer

What’s next

Ellis was charged with driving under the influence and released on a $1,000 bond. The case will now proceed through the criminal justice system.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving and the importance of responsible behavior behind the wheel. It also raises questions about the mental state of the driver and whether there were any underlying issues contributing to the alleged behavior.