sovereign citizen lp final draft

7/29/2019 Sovereign Citizen Lp Final Draft

1/18

UNIT TITLE: Sovereign Citizens

UNIT NUMBER: 1.12.0

Maine Criminal Justice Academy15 Oak Grove Road

Vassalboro, ME 04989

Prepared by: J im Birt - MCJ A Staff Date:4-5-2012Some original material provided by Ryan Dearborn Mountain View Youth Development CenterSome original material provided by Robert Byrnes Kittery Police DepartmentReviewed by Azure Turcotte, Intelligence Analyst Maine Information & Analysis CenterReviewed by Stephanie Walker, Intelligence Analyst FBI Counterterrorism DivisionReviewed by Police Chief Robert Paudert (Ret) West Memphis Arkansas Police Department

RESTRICTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT


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Goal

Performance Objectives

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After this unit of instruction the student will be able to accomplish the followingobjectives as outlined in this lesson:

1.12.1 Define a Sovereign Citizen1.12.2 List 3 of the 5 other names that refer to Sovereigns1.12.3 State the 2 reasons why there was a resurgence of the group in 20081.12.4 Identify what Sovereigns believe is the highest form of government1.12.5 Describe the organizational structure of the Sovereign Citizens

1.12.6 List 6 basic illegal activities Sovereigns are involved with1.12.7 List 2 of the 3 vehicle marking a Sovereign may display1.12.8 What term would a Sovereign use instead of road or street?1.12.9 What type of firearms do Sovereigns prefer?1.12.10 What do you do prior to stopping a suspected Sovereign vehicle?1.12.11 What might a Sovereign claim if you request a Social Security number?1.12.12 At a traffic stop its not uncommon for a Sovereign to claim what?1.12.13 List the 3 items most officers request at a traffic stop1.12.14 What should be obtained when stopping a Sovereign vehicle?

1.12.15 What is the significance of information not shared?1.12.16 List 3 of the 4 popular forms used by Sovereigns1.12.17 How many groups of Sovereigns have formed fictitious police agencies1.12.18 If you had a bad encounter with a Sovereign, where might you check?1.12.19 List 2 of the 3 offices you contact after a Sovereign encounter.


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Administrative Information

Estimated Time Range:

Presentation Methods / Media

Methods Media

Material & Equipment

Student outside assignments:

Androscoggin County Sheriffs DepartmentLesson Plan Outline

2 Hours

Interactive discussion


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Maine Criminal Justice AcademyLesson Plan Outline

Outline of instructional Unit Objectives & Notes

Look for show of hands.

1.12.1

Definition:Domestic Terrorism groups or individualsoperating entirely inside th

US, attempting to influencethe government orpopulation to effect politicaor social change byengaging in criminalactivity.

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AAsskk ccllaassss//aauuddiieennccee::

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cciittiizzeenn..

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tthhrreeaattss..

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1.12.2

1.12.3


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Think of this next timeyou are checking a

building.


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33.. LLaawwssuuiittss

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Two Sovereign Citizen groups, the Civil Rights TaskForce and the Constitution Rangers have created fictitious lawenforcement agencies complete with fake identification cards,badges, and even raid jackets.

The ability to custom order badges and uniforms

through mail-order catalogs and on-line make this process veryeasy.

Other names found on badges/fake ID cards:

1. Investigator Civil Rights Task Force2. Agent Civil Rights Task Police3. Special United States Marshals4. Sovereign Citizen World Guard5. Sovereign Cop Watch.

Both the badges and identification cards appear veryauthentic looking and may intimidate someone not familiar withthese groups.

Members of the Civil Rights Task Force have advocatedwhat they term reverse intimidation, interrogating the spousesof law enforcement officers who have had dealings with thegroups members.

1.12.17


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XVI. Protecting Yourself and Your Family

As law enforcement conducts surveillance of extremists groups,so too do members of these anti-government groups conduct counter-surveillance. The following may minimize your exposure to thisactivity:

1. If you wear a uniform to/from work, cover with a jacket/shirt2. Be aware of your surroundings atALL times3. Be mindful that you may be photographed/videotapedentering/exiting the station, entering/exiting your cruiser, and

while on duty

4. Remind family membersNEVER to accept a badge asidentification of law enforcement. If something doesnt seemright, its probably not!

5. Check frequently with County Clerk to determine if a falselien may have been filed against your property especially ifyou have had a bad encounter with a Sovereign

6. Act professionally and ethically at all times

7 Minimize self-exposure on social media sites

8. Check your free credit reports annually for accuracy.

XVII. Reporting

Any Maine law enforcement officer having contact with a

Sovereign Citizen is requested to pass that information ontoThe following:

1. FBI Regional Office (Boston) 617-742-55332. Maine Information and Analysis Center 207-624-72803. Regional Organized Crime Information Center

Nashville, TN 1-800-238-7985

1.12.18

1.12.19


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Outline of instructional Unit Time Objectives & Notes

XVIII. Conclusion

Although the Sovereign Citizen movement does notalways rise to violence, its members illegal activities and pastviolence including fatal incidents against law enforcementmake it a group that should be approached with knowledge andcaution. It is important that law enforcement be aware ofsovereign citizens tactics, scams and other illegal activity andunderstand its potential severity, and be prepared for andagainst violent behavior or backlash through intimidation andharassment.

With high unemployment, foreclosures of homes, thehigh cost if fuel and the growing consensus that the governmentis doing nothing to help, membership in the sovereign citizenmovement is growing. The preparedness of law enforcementshould be not IF I encounter a sovereign citizen butWHEN Iencounter a sovereign citizen will I be prepared?


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Criterion Test Questions

1. Define a Sovereign CitizenA person whose beliefs and actions are anti-government

2. List 3 of the 5 other names Sovereigns are also known as

FreemanCommon Law CitizensConstitutionalistsPosse ComitatusPreamble Citizens

3. List the two reasons why there was a resurgence of the anti-government movement in 2008

Rise of poor economyThe Internet

4. A Sovereign believes that the county is the highest form of government

T F

5. Describe the Organizational structure of the Sovereign Citizen Movement

They are individuals and groups diffused throughout the country.They number between 100,000 and 300,000There is no one leader of the movement.

6. List 6 basic illegal activities that Sovereign Citizens are involved in

1. Squatting in abandoned houses 4. Resist arrest2. Displaying fake registrations 5. Print their own money3. Displaying bogus licenses 6. Filing fraudulent tax returns

7. List 2 of the 3 markings which may indicate a Sovereigns vehicle

Do Not Stop Do Not Detain bumper stickerUpside down American flag on center of windshield168 to 1 Reference to Oklahoma City bombing. 168 victims, 1 suspect

8. What term would a Sovereign use instead of road or street?

Public right of way

9. What type of firearms do Sovereigns prefer?

Those that can be converted to full automatic


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10. If you suspect you about to stop a Sovereigns vehicle, what do you do?

Request a backup unit prior to initiating the stop

11. If you request a Social Security number from a Sovereign Citizen what will the likely claim be?

That is an invasion of their privacy

12. At a traffic stop it is not uncommon for a Sovereign to claim what about the vehicle?

That it belongs to a (fraudulent) church

13. What are the 3 items requested by an officer of an operator of a vehicle?

Vehicle registrationOperators licenseCurrent/valid insurance card for the vehicle

14. If you stop a vehicle operated by a Sovereign what should you obtain from passengers?

Full namesCurrent addressesDates of birth

15. What is the significance of information not shared?

It is intelligence diminished

16. List 3 of the 4 forms of Paper Terrorism that Sovereigns use to harass their victims

Liens IRS Form 8300Lawsuits Currency Transaction Reports

17. How many groups of Sovereigns have formed fictitious law enforcement agencies?

Two, the Civil Rights Task Force and the Constitution Rangers

18. An office you will want to check with especially if you had a bad encounter with a Sovereign

County Clerk to determine if liens have been filed against personal property

19. List 2 of the 3 agencies you report your Sovereign Citizen contact to

Maine Information and Analysis CenterFBI Regional OfficeRegional Organized Crime Information Center


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Bibliography

Bureau of J ustice Assistance. Warning Signs of Terrorist Events. Bureau of Justice

Assistance, 2010. Print.

Byrnes, R. Sovereign Citizens. 2011. Print.

Criminal Aspects of the Sovereign Citizen Movement in the United States. Rep. 2012.

Print.

FBI. Sovereign Citizens: An Introduction for Law Enforcement. Rep. 2010. Print.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. Fraudulent Documentation Used by Anti-Government

Extremists. Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2009. Print.

NESPIN. Sovereign Citizen Movement. Tech. NESPIN, 2011. Print.

Regional Organized Crime Information Center. Moorish Nation Sovereign Citizen

Movement. Publication. ROCIC, 2009. Print.

Southern Poverty Law Center. Return of the Sovereigns. Rep. No. 133. 2009, Print.

Special Research Report - Sovereign Citizen Movement. Rep. Regional Organized Crime

Information Center, 2010. Print.

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