sovereign citizens – News Stories About sovereign citizens - Page 1

Cops: She Killed a Man,
Claims Laws Don't Apply

Nov 18, 2020 4:29 PM CST

Cops: She Killed a Man, Claims Laws Don't Apply

Florida slaying involved 2 who claimed to be 'sovereign citizens'

(Newser) - A Florida man who questioned government authority over individuals living in the US through an online forum was fatally shot, allegedly by a woman who has espoused similar "sovereign citizen" views, police said Tuesday. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said Neely Petrie-Blanchard was arrested in Lowndes County, Ga....

Couple in Hiding After
Floating Home Is Raided

Apr 18, 2019 9:43 AM CDT

Couple in Hiding After Floating Home Is Raided

'We just want to live,' says Chad Elwartowski

(Newser) - A US man and his girlfriend wanted to be "seasteading" pioneers. Instead they're now in hiding and could face the death penalty. At issue is a floating home they occupied on a 65-foot platform that sits roughly 12 nautical miles off of Phuket, Thailand, in the Andaman Sea....

Vegas Couple Accused in
Plot to Kidnap, Kill Police

Aug 23, 2013 4:54 PM CDT

Vegas Couple Accused in Plot to Kidnap, Kill Police

'Sovereign citizens' David Brutsche and Devon Newman caught in sting

(Newser) - Police in Las Vegas made two arrests this week in a scary-sounding plot to kidnap and kill police officers and judges, reports the local Review-Journal . David Allan Brutsche, 42, and Devon Campbell Newman, 67, are self-described "sovereign citizens" who don't recognize the authority of police, courts, or the...

Alaska Militia Leader
Gets 25 Years

Jan 8, 2013 11:25 PM CST

Alaska Militia Leader Gets 25 Years

Schaeffer Cox blames paranoia for threats against feds

(Newser) - A militia leader in Alaska found guilty of plotting to murder federal law enforcement officials has been sentenced to 25 years and 10 months in federal prison. Schaeffer Cox, the 28-year-old leader of the "Alaska Peacemakers Militia," could have gotten life for his nine federal weapons and conspiracy...

2 Police Killings Linked to Anti-Government Movement

Aug 20, 2012 3:07 AM CDT

2 Police Killings Linked to Anti-Government Movement

Suspects consider themselves 'sovereign citizens'

(Newser) - The murders of two police officers in Louisiana have been linked to an anti-government movement, according to authorities. Several of seven suspects busted in attacks on police that killed two and injured two others are members of the "sovereign citizen" movement, who believe any form of government is illegitimate,...

Alaska Militia Leader Guilty
of Conspiracy to Kill

Jun 19, 2012 12:23 AM CDT

Alaska Militia Leader Guilty of Conspiracy to Kill

Schaeffer Cox planned to confront federal government

(Newser) - A young militia leader from Alaska and two of his followers are facing long prison terms after being found guilty of numerous charges. Schaeffer Cox, the 28-year-old leader of the Alaska Peacemaker Militia, was found guilty of amassing illegal weapons and conspiring to murder federal law enforcement officers, reports the...

Feds Set Sights on
'Sovereign Citizens'

Feb 24, 2012 10:35 AM CST

Feds Set Sights on 'Sovereign Citizens'

Anti-government extremist movement 'has absolutely exploded'

(Newser) - "Sovereign citizens" believe local, state, and federal laws don't apply to them; some don't believe in police authority, and are willing to use force to escape it. That has resulted in the killings of six police officers since 2000, including two in a shootout in 2010 that...