Video: Sarasota Hooters waitress arrested for DUI tried flirting her way out of trouble

By Joey Swanson

Sarasota

FOX 13 News

Traffic stop involving Hooters waitress goes viral

FOX 13’s Aaron Mesmer reports on a Sarasota Hooters waitress who was caught on police body camera footage trying to flirt her way out of a DUI arrest despite having a .318 blood alcohol level.

The Brief

• • Sarasota Hooters waitress arrested for DUI after trying to flirt her way out of trouble: SPD.
  • Bodycam footage from the responding officer shows Sophia Ross trying to smooth talk her way out of any legal trouble.
  • She is charged with a DUI with a .318 blood alcohol level, which is over three times the legal limit.

SARASOTA, Fla. – A Sarasota Hooters waitress has been arrested for a DUI, all while trying to flirt her way out of trouble, according to the Sarasota Police Department.

Bodycam video shows DUI suspect flirting with officer

The Sarasota Police Dept. released bodycam video showing Sophia Ross, 22, getting arrested for DUI in November. In the video, Ross flirts with the officer who pulled her over, even lifting her sweater and trying to get him to make out with her at one point. (NOTE: This video contains profanity that has been censored.)

Bodycam footage from the responding officer shows the Hooters waitress, 22-year-old Sophia Ross, trying to smooth talk her way out of any legal trouble with the responding officers.

Courtesy: Sarasota Police Department

At one point, Ross can be heard telling the officer that they were going to make out before calling him, ‘daddy,’ telling him that she would do anything for him.

Despite her desperate efforts to avoid consequences, Ross was taken away in the cop car after refusing to finish the sobriety test.

She is charged with a DUI with a .318 blood alcohol level, which is over three times the legal limit.

Her bond was set at $500.

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Fla. Hooters Waitress Tried to Flirt Her Way Out of DUI Arrest, Cops Say — and It Was Captured on Bodycam

Sophia Ross, 22, is heard in the footage obtained by PEOPLE repeatedly calling the officer “daddy”

By 

Nicole Acosta

Published on January 9, 2025 05:31PM EST

4Comments

Police in Florida have released body-camera footage showing a Hooters waitress allegedly attempting to flirt her way out of being arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Sophia Ross, 22, was pulled over by Sarasota police officers on Nov. 17, 2024, after allegedly stopping at green lights, hitting several curbs, and driving in the wrong lane while behind the wheel of a Jeep, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE.

Police claim that when Ross got out of the car she moved slowly and appeared lethargic, according to the affidavit. They also alleged that she smelled of alcohol, was unable to maintain her balance and was slurring her words, the affidavit states.

The interaction was captured on body-camera footage that has since gone viral.

Ross, who denied driving but admitted to being drunk, is heard in the footage obtained by PEOPLE on Jan. 9 repeatedly calling the officer “daddy” and telling him how she “will do anything” for him.

“I can’t keep my hands off of you,” she also said.

To this, the officer responded, “Unfortunately you’re gonna have to.”

At another point Ross partially removes her sweater to show her Hooters uniform and asks for the officer’s phone number as the officer, who was laughing off her apparent advances, tried to get her to complete the field sobriety tests.

“Don’t be such a f—ing nerd, bro,” Ross later said when she noticed the officer wasn’t flirting back.

Ross was ultimately taken into custody after the field sobriety tests couldn’t be completed, police said.

According to a breath alcohol test affidavit, Ross’ blood alcohol level was recorded at .330 nearly an hour after the original call was placed. A second breath sample allegedly came in at .318.

Court records show Ross has been charged with DUI with a BAC greater than .15. According to court records, Ross has pleaded not guilty and had a pretrial hearing scheduled for Jan. 9.

Ross’ attorney did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.