AfterTheClip

traffic-stop · Lake Worth Beach, Florida

The ticket Kathleen Thomas got for using her missing hand was dismissed. Obviously.

What happened?

Cleared

Kathleen Thomas, who was born without a right hand, was issued a $116 citation by Deputy Yosvani Quesada of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for allegedly holding a cellphone with her right hand while driving. The citation was later dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

4 sourcesLast checked Aug 6, 2026

By AfterTheClip Research

Sources: CBS 12; Mandatory

Timeline

  1. Deputy Yosvani Quesada stops Kathleen Thomas in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, and issues a $116 citation for texting while driving, alleging that she held a cellphone in her right hand.

  2. Deputy Yosvani Quesada requests the dismissal of the citation due to a lack of evidence.

  3. The citation is dismissed by the court after the deputy requests it be dropped due to a lack of evidence.

  4. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is reviewing Deputy Yosvani Quesada's conduct, with no public record of disciplinary action or official explanation as of this date.

  5. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office confirms that Deputy Yosvani Quesada received a verbal reprimand following an internal investigation.

  6. The court cancels the scheduled hearing, officially ending the case.

  7. Thomas challenges the ticket in court, pleading not guilty and requesting an in-person trial.

  8. Thomas obtains body camera footage and posts clips on TikTok and Instagram under @slightlyoff.balance, which are widely shared.

What people are asking

Who is Deputy Yosvani Quesada?

Deputy Yosvani Quesada is the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy who issued a $116 citation to Kathleen Thomas for allegedly holding a cellphone with her right hand while driving, despite her being born without one. He later requested the dismissal of the citation.

What happened to the ticket given to Kathleen Thomas?

The $116 citation issued to Kathleen Thomas was dismissed on May 26, 2026, by Deputy Yosvani Quesada due to a lack of evidence. The court subsequently canceled the scheduled hearing.

Has the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office taken action against Deputy Quesada?

As of May 30, 2026, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is reviewing Deputy Yosvani Quesada's conduct regarding the traffic stop. However, there is no public record of any disciplinary review or official explanation from the Sheriff's Office.

Is Kathleen Thomas suing the Sheriff's Office?

There are no explicit statements or plans from Kathleen Thomas indicating she will pursue a lawsuit against Deputy Quesada or the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

Receipts

How we researched this & corrections

Information was gathered from multiple news reports and official statements regarding the incident, with follow-up research confirming specific details and the deputy's identity.

  • Aug 6, 2026 — Following an internal investigation, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office issued a verbal reprimand to Deputy Yosvani Quesada for his handling of the traffic stop involving Kathleen Thomas. The investigation concluded that the deputy misunderstood the legal elements required to establish a violation for the distracted driving citation he issued to Thomas, who does not have a right hand.
  • Sep 20, 2026 — Repeated timeline entries were consolidated, retaining their supporting citations.

Corrections: corrections@aftertheclip.com.

traffic-stop

Morgan City Police Address Allegations Following Vehicle Search

The department stated the damage was pre-existing and noted the driver was not under arrest.

Disputed · Updated Oct 4, 2026law-enforcement

DeKalb Police Department resignations follow April 2025 traffic stop

The incident involving two disabled men resulted in the departure of the police chief and a lieutenant.

Discipline or policy action · Updated Sep 29, 2026police-conduct

Former Monongah Police Chief Decertified Following Traffic Stop Incident

Nathan Lanham was stripped of his law enforcement certification following an August 2024 encounter.

Discipline or policy action · Updated Sep 28, 2026police-shooting

What happened after a Dallas police officer was shot during a traffic stop?

Bodycam footage captured the moment a Dallas officer was attacked and shot a suspect during a traffic stop, leading to serious injuries for both.

Interim public outcome · Updated Sep 11, 2026