Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin is calling out AL(dot)com for what he says is a blatantly false account of a traffic stop that led to the arrest of a woman in the country illegally.
The article referenced the arrest of an illegal immigrant earlier this week on I-20. Heather Gann, the author, reported that the driver was pulled over for going just 1 mph over the speed limit.
Irwin says that claim is “absurd” — and that the stop happened because the woman was driving more than 80 mph, weaving through traffic, and nearly hitting other vehicles on Interstate 20.
“I would like to apologize for the false narrative published on AL dot com, specifically by reporter Heather Gann,” he said. “I have been employed as a law enforcement officer for decades in the Birmingham Metro Area. I am easily contacted as every media outlet has my work and personal mobile number. Carol Robinson and I talk continuously, and she always contacts me before writing a story that affects our department.”
“I do not want some person to publish untruths about incidents that involve our department or any other agency. I would really consider myself as someone the media would call if they need to speak to someone from another agency when they do not have a contact number. I have always been available and if I do not answer, I will call them back as soon as possible. It is absurd to believe we stopped a vehicle for going one mile an hour over the speed limit on the interstate.”
The driver, identified by authorities as Giovanna Hernandez, did not have a valid driver’s license and instead presented a Mexico-issued ID. Detectives contacted federal immigration officials, who determined she was in the U.S. illegally and took her into custody on the spot.
While Irwin said he knows people connected to Hernandez and “wish[es] her the best” as she’s returned to her home country, he stressed that the stop was a matter of public safety — not profiling or petty enforcement.
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“On August 5, 2025, at approximately 07:44 hours, an unmarked vehicle with the Leeds Police Department was traveling on Interstate 20,” said Irwin. “A Honda sedan passed the Detectives at a high rate of speed of over 80 mph. The vehicle came within feet of striking other vehicles and erratically changed lanes. A marked unit with the Leeds Police Department stopped the vehicle.”
“The driver did not have a driver’s license, but instead identified herself with a Mexico-issued identification card. Pursuant to our policy, Detectives contacted our federal partners, who informed Detectives that the female was in the United States of America illegally. Our federal partners responded to the scene and took custody of the driver. This vehicle was stopped because she posed a danger to the public by driving in a reckless manner.”
Chief Irwin called it unfortunate that Martinez had not taken the necessary steps to become a legal citizen.
“There are many people that I know and have friendships with who know this person, and we wish her the best as she returns to her country. I have always appreciated the media for contacting us so we can contribute to any story about what is happening in the City of Leeds or anywhere in the State of Alabama. I have provided perspective on law enforcement issues to the entire state while serving on the board as the President of the Alabama Chief’s Association over the last six years.”
“The relationships we build with the community and transparency with the media is, very important to our department. We will always provide a statement about any incident that affects our profession or relationship with the public.”
Irwin said any further details regarding the situation should be directed to U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
