Lexington 1st District Council woman speaks out after arrest over the weekend

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — Urban county council woman Tayna Fogle speaking out about her arrest at an AT&T store in Lexington over the weekend.

Tayna Fogle represents the 1st district of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, she recalled getting arrested over the weekend.

“Someone had committed fraud against me, and had ordered six iPhone 15’s,  so I thought, well, maybe if I just go in person, then they will help me at the store,” she says.

Adding that it did not take long and soon enough law enforcement was called to the store.
Fogle says it eased her mind because she thought they were going to file a fraud report, but that did not happen.

“It just happens to be that the police showed up was the police that I had had prior engagement with. I didn’t even know that. He called it to my attention as he was booking me in. And he asked me to you remember me. And I thought that was strange,” a strange remark, she says sparked her memory.

Fogle says the encounter she had with the particular officer dates back to last year, but she did not recognize him until he brought it to her attention. Fogle also saying, when the encounter happened the officer had asked a group of residents who were sitting in the grass that they needed to get their ID’s checked.
When Fogle heard about that she says she stepped in, telling them that if they were not arrested they could leave.

“I do know he made it a point to tell me that earlier last year, we had an encounter. And I don’t know what that has to do with the arrest. But I can assume and it doesn’t look good on his part. For me, it looks like retaliation,” said Fogle.

She says things quickly began to escalate at the AT&T store.

“I asked him I said can you give me five minutes please just let me breathe. I just wanted to center myself, and he said, I’m not gonna give you three seconds. He said, You get up from that table, and you have to leave. As I put my hand down, the officer reached up and like, pushed me, pushed my arm. So I turned around a natural reaction. And I said, Why are you touching me? I’m not under arrest at this time. I’m walking out the door, I’m being compliant. And I asked him, why are you touching me? And as I get to the door, I’m about four feet from the door. As I get outside the door, I’m arrested. And he says, I’m arresting you because you’re resisting arrest,” also said Fogle.

She adds that the most unfortunate part was her 11-year-old grandson was with her and saw what was unfolding.

“The hardest feeling that I have is that my grandson saw me in handcuffs. The whole city humiliated, call after call, after call constituents comparing me to Donald Trump, are you serious? Saying we respected you, we voted for you. This is an election year,” she said.

Fogle is due in court on friday march 15th for an arraignment.

She is being represented by attorney Daniel Whitley, who told us he was surprised by her charges.

“What I was somewhat disappointed about and reading citation is the officer says he was leaving, which means She’s complying if she’s complying and leaving, there’s no basis and a reason for you to place your hands on the person who’s complying. So I think the community should really ask them strong questions on why are you placing your hands on someone’s they’re complying with your demands?