Rochester Man Awarded $375K After Jury Finds Traffic Stop Unlawful

Federal jury rules RPD officer fabricated reason for 2019 stop that led to over a year in jail for Devin Johnson

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A federal jury has awarded Devin Johnson $375,000 in compensatory damages after finding that a Rochester police officer lied about having probable cause and falsely arrested Johnson during an unlawful traffic stop in 2019. Johnson spent over a year in Monroe County Jail before the charges against him were dismissed by a judge, who ruled the traffic stop was unlawful and police did not have probable cause to search Johnson's vehicle, where they found a gun.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns over the use of 'pretext stops' by police, where officers pursue minor traffic violations as a way to search for evidence of more serious crimes. Critics argue these stops disproportionately target communities of color and rarely turn up contraband, raising questions about their legality and impact on civil liberties.

The details

In August 2019, RPD Officer Jonathan Laureano stopped Johnson, then 25, while he was driving a borrowed luxury Audi SUV. Laureano claimed Johnson pulled over without signaling, but footage showed Johnson only stopped after Laureano had already initiated the stop. After searching the vehicle, police found a gun and charged Johnson, who spent over a year in jail before the charges were dropped when a judge ruled the stop was unlawful.

  • On August 24, 2019, Officer Laureano stopped Johnson while he was driving in Rochester.
  • In February 2026, a federal jury awarded Johnson $375,000 in compensatory damages.

The players

Devin Johnson

A 25-year-old Rochester resident who was falsely arrested and spent over a year in jail after an unlawful traffic stop by RPD.

Officer Jonathan Laureano

A Rochester police officer who fabricated the reason for the 2019 traffic stop of Devin Johnson.

Elliot Shields

The attorney representing Devin Johnson in the federal lawsuit against the city of Rochester.

Justice Charles Schiano

The state Supreme Court judge who ruled the traffic stop of Devin Johnson was unlawful and dismissed the charges against him.

Rachel Marshall

The executive director of the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution at John Jay College, who has criticized the use of pretext stops by police.

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What they’re saying

“Mr. Johnson lost 14.5 months of his life, his livelihood, and irreplaceable time with his newborn daughter.”

— Elliot Shields, Attorney (democratandchronicle.com)

“These are stops that are not conducted for any public safety reasons.”

— Rachel Marshall, Executive Director, Institute for Innovation in Prosecution (democratandchronicle.com)

What’s next

The city of Rochester will likely review its policies around pretext stops and consider reforms to address concerns over racial bias and civil liberties violations.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for greater oversight and accountability around police practices like pretext stops, which can have serious consequences for individuals and erode public trust in law enforcement.