Lycoming County DA Tom Marino Issues Racist Remarks After Racial Profiling Stop

In Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 18‑year‑old Black teenager Jessie Lopez Jr. recorded a police traffic stop in which an officer followed him, commented, “it’s a warm day to be wearing that jacket,” and later handcuffed and detained him. The incident sparked public outrage and accusations of racial profiling.

Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino, when questioned about the stop, responded with a series of stereotypical statements about the Black community, saying, “In the Black community … there’s no supervision of the kids,” and adding that many fathers are absent due to “possession of guns or selling drugs.” He also claimed to have “several good friends, African Americans; some work in the court, some are in law enforcement.” His comments were widely criticized as racist and irrelevant to the case.

The teen’s father, Jessie Lopez Sr., has spoken to multiple media outlets, condemning the officer’s behavior and the DA’s remarks, and calling for accountability.