A Haltom City councilman — and former mayor of the town — called himself “dumb” and “hard headed” after he got caught driving without a license. It turns out he’d been driving without one for nine years.
A police dashcam video posted to YouTube by Haltom City Firefighters for Responsible Government, which is fighting against the re-election of George “Trae” Fowler, shows a traffic stop from October 29, 2017, in which a North Richland Hills officer questions Fowler about a non-operational brake light.
Fowler was unable to produce a driver’s license, but told the officer his name and that he was a Haltom City councilman. After running a check on Fowler, the officer discovered that Fowler had warrants out for his arrest in North Richland Hills and McKinney.
Fowler told NBC 5 that he got the warrant in North Richland Hills because he missed a hearing on a previous ticket for driving without a license. In McKinney, he didn’t pay the $110 fine for the same offense in 2015.
In the video, the officer can be heard debating with his sergeant as to whether or not he should arrest Fowler.
“Usually we don’t — for me, unless there’s some really extenuating circumstances or whatever, if they have North Hills warrants, they’re coming [to jail],” the officer said during that conversation. “I’ve not encountered a situation like this with a sitting city council member.”
The officer ultimately let Fowler go with a stern warning of “Now listen to me. I’m not going to take you to jail tonight for that. I should be.” The officer gave Fowler tickets for the malfunctioning brake light, the lack of a license and an expired registration.
NBC 5 reported that Fowler was arrested the following month on the same warrants when he showed up at North Richland Hills Municipal Court, and had previously spent two days in jail in Johnson County for driving without a license.
Fowler told the outlet that he was blocked from renewing his license in 2009 when he failed to pay a citation he was given when three of his cows escaped his pasture. He blamed city workers for cutting his fence.
Fowler seeks re-election for Place 4 in Saturday’s city election.
Haltom City Firefighters for Responsible Government released a statement that said it was “embarrassed that a member of our council has acted in a manner that has brought discredit to Haltom City.”
That group is touting Brent Weast for the position.
Fowler said he had passed his driver’s test and was waiting on the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue his new license.
Johnny Kampis can be reached at [email protected].
Yeah Trump too!!!
So why didnt he go to jail, politicians arent above the law. He had warrants and was a repeat offender.
I can’t find info on if he’s a republican or Democrat….would like to know! He does not belong in office either way!
Let me take a wild guess…..he’s a democrat?!
Cant find any info on that but in texas most city council elections are non partison
Kevin Spears I know…..just trying to confirm my hunch. Either way he should be removed from office now!
Some people should stay at home.
THE LAW APPLIES TO EVERYONE- a cheat and liar- should never hold any public office again!
if that was the case we would have no one in public office…
If that was me i would’ve been in jail
Time for him to resign. Laws are for everyone.
SOUNDS LIKE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.
City councils in texas are non partisan
almost all government has some of these…lol
He had current insurance and showed the officer, pay attention to the video that is mentioned in the article. By the way, you CAN have auto insurance without a drivers license.
What gets me is the group of people who dug up dirt on this man. The reason this happened was because he voted against what they wanted . To lower themselves to that level, in my opinion is unethical. Not to mention immature. These are a group of Firefighters who are held to the same code of ethics that the council members are.
Yes, he should have taken care of his responsibilities but I saw no reason to do him like that. I guess everyone who throws stones is guilt free…
This is an embarrassment not only to haltom city but to the city the officer patrols. We all know that cop never would have called if it had been a citizen. We would have been cuffed and stuffed. That cop needs to be investigated to see how many times he has arrested someone for driving without a license and been arrested for having warrants and the city should pay them for having to go through that since we know now they only pick up commoners and let the royalty go. Cop is a disgrace to his uniform.
Sounds like he called a superior that told him not to arrest. And sadly, more often than not the arresting officer gets reprimanded – or worse – for arresting public officials on a traffic stop. ?
it happens to illegals on a daily basis…they get let go ..at least Trae is a legal USA citizen AND had insurance….
True illegal in Hurst destroyed a home with people inside with his truck. No insurance spent the night in jail and cut loose.
I’m embarrassed the officer didn’t treat him like any other citizen and arrest him.
So he didn’t ask permission from the government? Who cares!
Michael Tutor
You gotta watch those city councilmen!
Reed Norman
Lake Worth has a couple that think they are above the law.
And warrants were out for him!
Time for a RECALL ELECTION!
Voting is coming up.
SO…this being Texas, how did he vote? No ID.
…unless he used his concealed carry permit…
Not voting is no impediment to being elected.
Neil Moyer so voter ID laws only apply if you’re not white?
I believe he used his passport which is also an accepted form of ID.
He told the poll worker he was voting Republican, so he got a wink, a thumbs-up, and his ballot.
Lol, how does he serve as a councilman if hes spending so much time in jail? C’mon Haltom City, dont vote for this doofus.
If he drove without a license for 9 years he couldn’t have had insurance either. Where is the ticket for that?