Community members frustrated with Dalton Police following mistaken arrest that could get college student deported

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- 19 year old Xiamena Aries-Cristobal was arrested last week in Dalton.

She had come with her parents illegally to the United States when she was four years old.

However, Dalton Police admitted Monday that her arrest was a mistake.

Dalton Police admitted Monday that the arrest of Xiamena Aries-Cristobal was due to a police officer identifying the wrong vehicle that made an improper turn on Thornton Avenue.

They say when trying to catch up to that vehicle, he pulled over Cristobal’s gray Dodge pickup truck, which was different from the gray Ford that actually committed the infraction.

She was ultimately arrested for driving without a license, as captured in 20+ minute body cam footage.

Diego: After watching that footage, I mean it just how livid it feels as a member of the community who used to be undocumented and got through the process and what it mean for this town.

Officer: So in the state of Georgia you know what happens when you drive without a license?

Cristobal: No sir.

Officer: You ever been to jail?

Cristobal: No sir.

Officer: Well, you’re going.

 Cristobal then begs him not to take her to jail

Cristobal: I cannot go to jail. I have my finals next week and my family really depends on this.

Officer: Well you shouldn’t be driving!

Cristobal: I know.

Officer: You’ll get released!

Cristobal did not get released, and has ultimately been transferred to the custody of ICE, where she awaits a deportation hearing.

Dalton PD says they have contacted her attorneys to notify them of this situation.

Assistant Police Chief Chris Crossen said, “It’s a regrettable situation and a regrettable place we find ourselves in. The officer was trying to do his job. He was trying to enforce traffic law in an area that sees a lot of crashes.”

Dalton Police reiterated that they cannot influence what goes on at the federal level with ICE, which left some community members very frustrated.

One resident asked, “There is a perception that there is more presence in the community, is that true?”

As Cristobal awaits a deportation bond hearing next week, community members say that she has been a vital part of their community.

Dalton resident Diego Alvarado Ruiz said, “After watching that footage, I mean it just how livid it feels as a member of the community who used to be undocumented and got through the process and what it mean for this town… Putting it bluntly here this has put a black stain on our community, both the Hispanic and larger community. There’s such a large black stain because of that situation. You have Xiamena, there’s nobody in this community that didn’t have some type of connection with her and now her life is essentially ruined because of an unnecessary officer’s mistake.”