Bodycam footage has emerged showing the arrest of Nathalia Amato Santoro, wife of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Gordon Ryan, following a high-speed pursuit in Austin, Texas. The October incident has drawn attention after court records revealed multiple charges stemming from two separate traffic-related incidents.
According to affidavits filed in Travis County, Santoro was arrested on October 16 after Austin Police Officer Katigbak attempted to stop a green Porsche SUV driving without license plates in North Austin. The vehicle failed to yield, leading to a roughly 15-mile pursuit at speeds exceeding 120 mph. Officers eventually used low-speed interventions to stop the vehicle.
The bodycam footage shows officers ordering Santoro from the vehicle with weapons drawn. During the roadside interaction, she appeared uncooperative and confrontational with officers who were attempting to conduct tests.
When asked basic questions about her destination, Santoro stated she was going to “train jiu-jitsu” before correcting herself to say “teach jiu-jitsu.”
Throughout the field evaluation, Santoro frequently refused to follow instructions and made dismissive comments to officers. When Officer Katigbak asked if she took any recreational substances, she responded, “What’s wrong with you?”
The officer explained he was simply conducting a standard assessment, stating, “We saw you swerving around a little bit. We’re just worried about you.”
Santoro replied, “I have a nice car and I drive fast.”
During the arrest processing, she refused to provide a breath sample and became increasingly agitated during the blood draw procedure, at one point telling the technician, “You have 3 seconds until I like literally going to punch you in the face.”
Police reportedly found two loaded firearms with chambered rounds inside the vehicle, resulting in charges including Evading Detention Using a Motor Vehicle, a third-degree felony, along with additional firearms-related charges.
Days later, on October 22, Travis County Sheriff’s Deputy C. Jensen responded to a crash on FM 1826. Santoro admitted she had been traveling approximately 90 mph in a 55 mph zone because “the roads were empty.” She left the roadway on a bend, struck and snapped a utility pole, and came to rest roughly 30 feet later. This incident led to a Reckless Driving charge.
Bond was set at $3,000 for each case. Court records show Santoro posted bond on October 17. Subsequent conditions barred her from operating a vehicle without a valid license and insurance. Pretrial court appearances were scheduled for December 15, but she reportedly sent her lawyer instead and traveled to Thailand.
