Woman Sentenced to Hold “Police-Beater” Sign

An Orlando student takes a unique deal to stay out of jail

An Orlando woman is angry that she has to hold a sign that reads: "I battered a police officer. I was wrong. I apologize" for a day outside the Police Department.

We say she should be counting her blessings.

Alexandra Espinosa-Amaya was arrested on Nov. 29 for pushing an off-duty police officer in the face after getting kicked out of a night club, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

Instead of going to trial to fight the felony battery on a law enforcement officer charge, Espinosa-Amaya took a plea deal with some very unique requirements. If she went to trial, Espinosa-Amaya would have faced a year in prison if convicted and her student visa would have been in jeopardy .

The 24-year-old college student must complete two years' probation, write an apology letter to the officer, perform 50 hours of community service and attend an anger-management class.

But the deal-breaker was the homemade sign that she had to wear like a scarlet letter for four hours. Starting at 2 p.m., Espinosa-Amaya began her sentence.

"It's humiliating and it doesn't teach me anything,"  she said.

Maybe next time she'll keep her hands to herself.

The officer who demanded the punishment, ironically, never got a chance to see Espinosa-Amaya standing with the apologetic sign. He was on patrol Tuesday.

Contact Us