United States Army Lieutenant Caron Nazario who is hispanic was pulled over by VA Police Officer Joe Gutierrez for having paper tags on his newly purchased SUV. Officer Gutierrez and Lt Nazario exchanged words regarding the stop and that's when the officer pulled out his pepper-spray and sprayed the Lieutenant in his face.

VA Police Officer Joe Gutierez was fired from his department for using excessive force, the Lieutenant has also filed a lawsuit against the two officers involved.