A U.S. Naval officer who works at the Pentagon and lives in Upper NW says D.C. police pulled him over for expired Florida plates on his SUV.

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But instead of citing for expired tags, the police arrested him, he says.

The incident occurred on July 23 when he was headed to Surfside for carryout for his wife.

The man, who is not being identified, was arrested, cuffed and taken to second district headquarters where he was photographed and fingerprinted for expired tags.

The issue came to a head last week, when U.S. Sen. Jim Webb called on Mayor Vincent Gray to review a media report that city police are putting drivers in jail for having expired tags.

The Virginia Democrat says in the letter sent Thursday that there is "absolutely no justification" for incarcerating citizens whose only offense is an expired tag.

Police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump told The Associated Press early Friday that officers are sworn to enforce laws that are on the books. She says the city allows for a grace period and many officers use further discretion.

Crump said that concerns with the law should be addressed with city legislators.