A traffic violation in Sunny Isles Beach quickly escalated into a high-profile arrest when Latin recording artist Cecilia Selina Mercado, professionally known as Sessi, was taken into custody after police determined she was driving with a counterfeit diplomatic license plate.
The Traffic Stop
According to police reports, Mercado was stopped shortly after 7 p.m. on March 12 while driving a white Audi Q5 along Sunny Isles Boulevard. Officers said she ignored a clearly posted “Right Turn Only” sign — an intersection known for frequent crashes.
When they approached the vehicle, officers immediately noticed that it displayed a non-expiring license plate styled to resemble those issued by the U.S. Department of State for accredited diplomats. The plate identified Mercado as an “ambassador at large.”
What the Video Shows — and What It Doesn’t
A passenger in the car recorded much of the interaction on a cellphone, and the footage quickly spread online. The video shows Mercado declining to hand over her driver’s license, presenting her passport instead, and insisting she had diplomatic immunity. The passenger is also heard telling officers that they had “no jurisdiction.”
What is not visible in the video, however, is what happened after repeated refusals to comply. Police records state that Mercado was given multiple clear commands to exit the vehicle before officers forcibly removed her. Investigators later confirmed through the Department of State that the license plate was not valid and carried no diplomatic recognition. Genuine diplomatic tags include a specific format of letters and numbers and are issued only through the State Department — details that Mercado’s plate did not meet.
Arrest and Charges
Mercado was arrested on charges related to displaying a counterfeit tag and resisting officers without violence. She was booked into jail and released the next day on a $2,500 bond.
Background on Sessi
Ceceilia Mercado, known as Sessi, is a 32-year-old Latin singer with a significant online presence. Her music career includes releases like "Todo Lo Que Soy" and "Enamórate," and she has collaborated with other artists such as Farruko and Justin Quiles. Sessi's social media accounts, particularly Instagram, showcase her life and career, contributing to her public profile. The incident occurred as she was driving in Sunny Isles Beach, a location known for its affluent demographic and high-profile residents.
A Second Arrest After Release
The incident did not end there. Only hours after leaving custody, Mercado was seen leaving the jail in a luxury Maybach driven by her boyfriend, Andres Lopez-Escobar. That vehicle also bore a diplomatic-style plate.
When officers attempted to stop the car, Lopez-Escobar allegedly refused to cooperate. Police broke open the vehicle’s window and placed him under arrest on charges of unlicensed driving, possession of a counterfeit plate, and resisting without violence. Authorities also recovered multiple firearms from the car.
Mercado’s Response
In statements following her arrest, Mercado insisted that her plates were legitimate and tied to a private trust. She described herself as a “United States national” rather than a U.S. citizen, and argued that she had been treated unlawfully. On social media, she defended her reputation, calling herself a “good community girl” and claiming she was the target of misinformation.
Broader Context
Police emphasized that counterfeit or fraudulent diplomatic plates pose a serious public safety concern, as they are sometimes used by individuals attempting to avoid law enforcement oversight. Only accredited diplomats recognized by the U.S. State Department are eligible for immunity, and even then, immunity does not apply in every circumstance, particularly when serious crimes are suspected.
Conclusion
The arrest of Sessi highlights the tension between viral video clips and the full scope of police investigations. While the footage of her traffic stop sparked controversy online, official records revealed details not captured on camera — including the confirmed counterfeit status of the plates and the subsequent arrest involving firearms. The case underscores how claims of immunity and sovereign status, when unsubstantiated, can escalate otherwise routine encounters with law enforcement into serious criminal matters.