What's going on, man? >> I'm just got a flat tire. >> How'd you get a flat tire? >> Uh that I don't know, but >> You don't know, it just happened? >> Yeah, just left work. I can make it to the house. I got another tire. I'm good. >> All right. Uh you got your license on you? >> Uh no, I do not. >> Do you have a license? Is that >> Is that what? >> Do you have a license? >> Yeah, I'm trying to get home though, man. I just called a place. >> Yeah, I get it. I get it. I was just going to check to make sure you're okay, and then you stopped in the middle of the road. >> No, you heard my tire. That's obviously the reason why I stopped, but >> I don't know why you're getting so defensive. >> I'm not getting defensive. >> checking. >> Look, look, look. What you did >> I'm literally checking. >> But I got I have to get home to my baby, man. >> I get it. I don't know why you're being so defensive, though. >> the defensive. >> You are. You're jumping down my throat here. All I was doing was checking up on you. >> I'm not jumping down your >> All right, man. All right. What's your name? What's your name? >> I was told I was a sovereign. >> What's your name? Hey, man, get off the phone. If you give me your name and date of birth, we'll get you going out of here, okay? >> Because of my tire, that's why you're going to check my plates? >> Well, your plate's not coming back to anything. Hey. >> I just left work. >> I got you. >> I'm getting home to my baby. >> give us your name and date of birth, we can attach you to this cuz I'm out with you. As long as you come back clean, we'll let you go. I don't get what the problem is. >> You have your strobe lights on. That's That's your hazard lights. >> Yeah, I know what it is, but you stopped in the middle of the road. >> I did not stop in the middle of >> You stopped right here. >> Yes, because I have my hazards on. You're allowed to stop if you got your hazards on. >> And I'm allowed to stop to make sure you're okay. >> Yes, I'm okay. My tire went flat. >> What's your name and date of birth, buddy? >> Hello. Take me up for a truck. Okay, you stopped me. My tire went flat. And now you're asking me where my license is. >> Yeah, the plate doesn't back to anything. >> I don't understand like why they're giving me a hard time. >> You're giving me a hard time. >> jump down your throat. And you got me on camera. I did not jump >> You did. I just asked your name and date of birth, buddy. That's all I wanted. >> was say I was trying to get home to my baby. >> I can't hear it, so I don't >> She said I'm a Moorish national. Do you know what that >> I don't know what that is. The term Moorish national driver that the lawyer refers to is a term used by some members of the Moorish sovereign citizen movement who believe they are not subject to United States traffic laws. They also may attempt to use fraudulent documents or claim sovereign status to avoid having a driver's license, registering their vehicle, or paying fines. The lawyer will continue using this tactic even when she soon shows up to argue with officers in person. >> Okay, we're just towing your We're just towing your vehicle. >> You're just going to tow my vehicle? Sorry to hear that they going to tow my vehicle. Really? >> It's not my turn. You can't be driving it. The plates don't come back to anything. How about you just give me your name and date of birth? Okay, what's your name and badge number? >> Officer Singletary, badge number 8070. >> Put your hands out of your pockets. >> My hands are out of my My hands are out of my pockets. >> What's your status? >> What do you mean status? >> Will you talk to >> We're not making a nationality thing about it. >> What nationality, man? I'm with the police department. >> We are nationals Moorish Americans. You know what that means? >> You're not in our jurisdiction. >> You're in our jurisdiction? >> What jurisdiction am I in? >> Do I have to have you come up here? >> We're coming out here. It's not going to do anything, man. >> Yes, it is. >> No, it's not. Your plates don't come back to anything. >> You're driving on your flat tire. You got a flat tire. >> Okay, that's not my fault that I caught a flat tire, man. Like I got wanted to catch a flat tire. I didn't want to catch a new one. >> Just tell me who you are. >> Okay, give me your information and you can go home your son. >> Okay, she's an attorney. >> She what? >> She's an attorney. >> Yes, she is. >> What's your bar number? >> Sorry, he said what's your bar number? >> You a Moorish American. You a Moorish American. You don't need that. >> Yeah, you do. >> No, you don't need the bar number. >> Yeah. >> No, you don't. >> In order to be an attorney in the United States, yes, you do. Yes, you do. >> I I just had her represent me for a case. You know what I mean? >> You old hag, you get ready for another case. >> They said tell you to get ready for another case. >> What's your badge number? >> Real 63. >> Sorry, write it down. Real 63. >> The address means that somebody's behind you >> The hazards don't mean that I can't stop you, okay? The hazards mean I I can still jump out with you, buddy. It's >> You hurt my tire. So, if >> Yeah, that's how I'm making sure everything's okay. Making sure your car was >> If I would >> able to be driven. How come your plates don't come back to anything? >> You what now? >> How come your plates don't come back to me? >> They don't. I ran them twice. >> But I need to know who you are. >> You're about to be under arrest. Just tell me who you are. >> So, this So, you mean you're about to You're about to arrest me? >> Can I talk to you for a second? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I'm not trying to cause no issue. >> Yeah, what's going on? >> I I just told the officer here, I'm trying to get home to myself. >> Huh? Is that a sergeant out here? >> I am sergeant. >> You're the sergeant? >> Yeah. >> Okay, he's out here, sergeant. >> Look it up. Look it up. Look it up. I work at a freaking >> Hold on, can I talk to you on the phone? I can't I can't listen to both of you, okay? Can you hang up for a minute and call me back? >> Okay. Just hold on. Hold on. I'll stay on the phone. Okay, can you mute your something for a minute? >> He's my He's He's my authorized representative over here. >> Okay, so what's going on? >> I just caught a flat. He said I He uh I stopped in the middle of the road. I wasn't bothering nobody. I wasn't causing any harm. >> Okay. >> Okay? I didn't damage somebody's goods. So, therefore, like I'm being like, what is the issue? I'm standing out here freezing my ass off now because they said I didn't give them my information. If you was really trying to help me, you would try to see about that tire, not about a flat. >> Okay. Well, your vehicle's causing a hazard in the road. So, >> And I was trying to pull And I was trying to pull over, but now >> Okay, so so why aren't you giving your information? >> Because that's not why you stopped me. It's because I missed Huh? Who is the same on the phone? What's the car that's making it? >> Your vehicle's causing a hazard in the road, okay? So so if you don't give your information and stuff, we'll just tow the vehicle. >> I'm trying to understand what's going on, but I can't listen to you and the phone at the same time, okay? >> No, we're not talking at the same time. >> I'm not listening to both of you, okay? Just hold on a minute. So what's going on? >> He came right and found like he was playing, so we got behind him. >> I got behind him. >> He just stopped. >> Okay. >> So I put my lights on, I jump out. It looked like he was looking at his side of the thing, so I was like, "Hey, wait, what's going on?" I look at the plate, [ __ ] is on the back of it. There's no registration sticker on there. >> Yeah. >> So if I come out, I'm like, "Hey, just give me your information, that way we can just make sure everything's okay." He refuses to. Says he's a whatever national, I'm thinking sovereign citizen. He says he's that's his girlfriend or wife or whatever. He says it's his attorney and she doesn't have a bar number because she doesn't need one. >> He doesn't want to identify himself, he's going to jail. >> Yeah. I mean, if the plate comes back not found. >> Yeah. >> All right, this is your last chance. You either give your ID or you're going to go to jail for it or you got to identify yourself, okay? So it's your choice. >> Okay, we just want your identification. We just want your ID. >> It's no big deal. >> Hello. Okay, so now he said they're going to take you to jail. Just identify yourself. >> Because I didn't identify myself, that's why. >> And you're driving a motor vehicle. >> No, no, sir, I'm traveling. >> Book him. >> All right. >> All right, hands on your back, buddy. >> All right, now he's booking me. >> I don't know why you made this difficult. You don't have a driver's license, is that the issue? >> You got warrants? >> No, sir, I'm traveling. >> I was just trying to get home to my son. That's all you had to do was give your information. >> Was you or you been >> What's this sexy here? >> Was this Was this all worth it? Huh? Was this worth it? This didn't It didn't have to go this way. >> why you didn't identify yourself. That's all we needed from >> I'm in my car. >> All right. >> Look Look Listen, this is your last chance. You either identify yourself now and we can just go with what's going on with this vehicle. >> Or you're going to jail for obstruction and failure to identify yourself. So, it's your choice what you want to do right now. >> I'm just trying to get home to my son, man. >> Okay. So, you got a driver's license? It's not a big deal if you don't have a driver's license. Do you not have one? >> My My driver's license is at the house. All I'm just trying to do is get home. >> Do you have a valid license? >> I don't know if it's valid, but I have >> Are you willing to give your social security number? >> I don't have my social security number >> Do you Do you not know it? >> No, not by heart. >> All right. What's your name and date of birth? Do you know that? Okay. Do you want your date of birth so we can look you up? Is that Is that why you won't identify yourself? >> I didn't think I didn't think I was suspended. >> Okay. We explained to you a million times. And you know you also have a warrant out of Erie County, right? What's your warrant for out of Erie County? You have a warrant out of Erie County, so what's it for, you know? Okay. We'll come pick you up when you get out of jail, okay? >> Later after the suspect is booked in at the jail, his lawyer shows up. >> I was on the phone. I was the one on the phone >> Okay. >> and you were on the phone. Yeah. I was trying to figure out you guys got him as obstructing and failure to identify. >> That's correct. >> Yeah, his uh fifth amendment right he has. He does not have to identify. And then, did you guys have a fourth amendment sworn warrant to search and seize him and his vehicle? >> Uh the vehicle was towed because it did not have valid plates. And it was uh obstructing roadway with a flat tire. >> What actual crime was committed? >> Uh originally I was just checking on him due to the fact that he had a flat tire. He stopped in the middle of the roadway. So, Yeah, but he was obstructing the road. >> But when I told you I referred to you on the phone that he was a more >> Yeah. >> national, you guys disregarded it and >> has to follow the laws of the state of Ohio. >> Okay. Let me Let me Let me read this to you real quick. So, he was traveling for one, and I would just like to know what is the crime for the crime that you're putting it as is over obstructing the roadway and >> Yeah. >> failure to identify. As I told you he had >> He was He was obstructing the roadway with his vehicle. The plates did not come back to the vehicle, so that's fictitious plates. >> I wouldn't say they were fictitious. >> They were They did not come back to the vehicle, which state which under the law means they're fictitious. >> to even run them? >> I was stopping to check on them originally. >> I mean, you were stopping to check, but then as soon as you stopped to check you >> I ran the plates because >> You ran the plates beforehand or after? >> At right before I got to the vehicle, I ran the plates. >> You ran the plates. >> They didn't come back to anything. I ran them again through my dispatcher when I was off there to make sure that I didn't just mess it up. So, verifying that. >> So, you ran the plates prior beforehand and then you ran them again. >> Because I didn't know who I was out with. I'm allowed to run any plate that's on the road. >> Uh not nothing is >> Yes. Yes, technically it is it is It's case law. Yes. >> So, I know how to read it off my top of my head as well on the paper. But, he was traveling as well, but you obviously didn't even have a crime that existed and you didn't Was there any other party? >> No, there doesn't need to be. >> You violated his fourth amendment right as well as his fifth. He has a fifth amendment right, which I'm sure you're aware of cuz you took oath to it, right? The Constitution. >> Anything that Any questions you need about the law, you can speak to the You can talk to the uh attorney once you get Oh, no. She's No, no. I'm an attorney. attorney. >> Yeah, you're an attorney. >> Which You can talk to her about that once I'm going to Yes, but I'm going to write the report and then I'm going to give it to her. >> How can I speak to her about something that's coming from you? You were >> Because I'm going to write the report. She's going to She's going to file the charges. So, everything's going to go through her. >> So, he wasn't taken before a judge before you guys locked him up with this kidnapping, correct? >> No. Not >> So, he wasn't It is correct. You didn't take him before a judge. >> No, I took him to >> Anytime you arrest someone, they're supposed to go before a judge because >> He goes through He goes before the judge tomorrow. >> And he's what? Tomorrow? There's nothing from the here on time >> Unless he bonds out. >> No, that's not what I got from him. >> Unless he bonds out. >> He'll be there from Wednesday to Monday. >> Well, he has a uh warrant out of York County as well. >> So, you didn't see that warrant when you ran his tags? >> No, because the tags didn't come back to anything. Once we Once we ran the VIN off the truck, it came back to him. >> Who was the other officer? >> Officer Reel. >> Reel? >> Yeah, he gave you his name over the phone as well. >> No, he didn't give me his badge. >> Reel, 63. >> Reel 63 is what he said. >> Reel? Reel or Real? >> Reel, R E E L. >> R E E >> okay. And his badge number is 63. >> 63. >> Okay. All right. Well, thank you. >> Yeah, no problem. >> Amber, see you in court. >> Yep, that's cool. >> Less than a month later, the suspect is stopped by police for his fictitious plates yet again. >> Ben, I got a warrant for your arrest. >> A warrant for my arrest? >> Yep. >> For what? >> Step out of the vehicle. >> For what? >> You didn't show up for court. >> I did show up for court. >> Yeah. Ben, step out of the vehicle. >> Step out of the vehicle for what? >> You got a warrant. >> My My court date is not September 18th. >> Step out of the vehicle or I'm going to force my way in there and get you out of there. >> You mean you're going to force your way in here? >> First of all, you're not running this show, Mr. I am. >> No, you're not. >> You are obstructing. >> How are you How are you running the show? >> I'm the one that stopped you. >> For what? Because I got a warrant? >> First of all, these plates are expired and they don't come back to this vehicle. >> Because what? >> Those plates on the back of your car does not even come to this vehicle. >> have to do with a warrant? >> You have a warrant. >> For what? And for where? >> From the charges that Officer Segalia had. >> He He's listening? >> I can't hear. I'm not going to listen to your nonsense. >> Well, who are you to say what Yeah, that's up to you if you don't want to listen. >> Okay, if you do not get out of the vehicle, I'm going to break this window and take you out. >> Okay, try that. So, I got I got it on video saying you're going to break my window if I don't get out. If you break it out, that's on you, bud. Go ahead and break it out. Go ahead. >> I will. I'm waiting for the sergeant to get here, and we're going to break it. >> What's the problem? >> He's not getting out of the vehicle. He said break the window to get him out, so I was waiting for you to get here. Then back to roll, roll, so the same charges we dealt with in the past. We got him again. >> Mr. You need to step out of the car, man, okay? >> For what? >> Because you have a warrant. >> Can you show me a paperwork that I have a warrant? >> Yes, I will. >> You have three additional warrants. >> For what? >> For failure to appear, for the fictitious, for the DUS, and what was the other one? Another one. >> three. >> But there's three of them cuz you apparently missed the court date. >> Plus, you're driving on a suspension. >> And you're apparently driving under suspension. Just don't make this any worse than it needs to be, dude. >> Well, I'm not trying to make anything worse. >> You're being non-compliant, okay? >> I'm not I'm not being non-compliant. >> Well, we're asking you to step out. It's a lawful order, but this is going to escalate, and you're going to catch more charges, which are felony charges. >> You're not going to consent to any power. >> You're not going to consent to any power. She's not even on the The whole thing is we don't want to bust your window out. I would like you to step out. I'm going to give you about 5 seconds to open up or we're going to bust your window out and we're going to drag you out of there. >> You said you were going to give me 5 seconds. 1 >> And you don't bust the window out. >> 2 3 4 5 >> Step out. >> Oh, yeah. >> Step out of the car. I said STEP OUT OF THE CAR. >> What are you doing? I'm not even I'm not even I'm not even resisting. I'm I'm I'm not resisting. I'm I'm not resisting at all. Now that glass cut me in the face. >> Turn. >> That's why I said the glass cut me in the face. >> You're okay. >> Hey, these cuffs are tight on me. >> I'm going to readjust them. >> No, these cuffs are tight on me. >> They're okay. Except I can't get my fingers in there. They're double locking cuffs. >> Make sure you put my phones where I can see them. Don't try to reach for my groin area. >> I'm not reaching for your groin. >> Yes, you did. You just tried to touch my groin area. >> Man, that's a violation. >> Why would you try to do that? >> Have a seat. >> Can I get in the truck? >> Yeah, have a seat. >> How can I have a seat like that? I got to step in. I'm supposed to have a seat standing up. I can't. Wow. And you didn't adjust these cuffs. >> They are not adjusted, man. They're trying to >> teach this I teach this class in the academy. >> Okay. All right. >> 3 months later, police find out Ben still hasn't taken care of his warrants or his fictitious plates during yet another traffic stop, but this time his fake lawyer shows up in her vehicle and Ben hops in her back seat and locks the door. The fake lawyer then demands to see the official paperwork that shows Ben's warrant for his arrest. >> What does it say here? It said a warrant. Let me see the front page, too. I need to see everything cuz >> This is the original. That's the copy. >> see the front page. >> It's the same page. >> Okay, let Don't get smart. I'm not getting smart with you. >> read it AND THEN PUT HIM OUT. >> I'M NOT GETTING OUT. >> YES. >> NO, YOU WON'T. >> YOU'RE OBSTRUCTING. YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO JAIL, TOO. >> YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO YOU KEEP PLAYING CUZ YOU CAN PLAY. >> IT'S RIGHT HERE. IT'S RIGHT HERE. >> OKAY, LET ME READ IT. I don't see where it says it's right. >> Not bondable. Must sit 20 days in jail. >> Okay, where's the arrest part at? >> This is a warrant for arrest. Open up. >> And you are Nick Dingell? >> Yes, ma'am. >> him up and you're going to be taking him to see a judge right away, right? >> to take him to jail. He's going to see a judge in the morning. This is how it works. It's going to work the same time as the same way as last time. >> which which way was that? >> He goes to jail and then he sees the judge in the morning. Open the door. Open the door. >> I'm opening it. Don't touch my door handle. I got it. You can get out. And do not use excessive force and I'm not playing with any of you. And I want all your badge numbers. >> You have mine already. >> Okay, what is it? >> I don't know. OPEN THE DOOR NOW. >> WHAT'S YOUR BADGE NUMBER? >> OPEN the door. Open. Come on, Ben. >> Okay, he's coming. >> He's not. Quit reaching FOR [ __ ] QUIT REACHING. OPEN THE DOOR. >> DINGELL, MAKE HIM STAND DOWN cuz I'm not playing. >> I can't make him DO ANYTHING. GET OUT, BEN. Get out. >> Okay, he's going to get out. I'm about to unlock. Yeah, I'm following him right now. And if you use excessive force, you're so ass. Okay, he's got the door. >> Step out. Turn around, face the car. >> Okay, he is. Okay, and don't use excessive force cuz I'm watching you. >> Take my coat off. Take my coat off. >> Here, give me his Let me get his coat. >> Take my coat off so she can get my coat. >> I'm going to unlock. You got it. >> Now, Dingell, you know you were a defendant to a lawsuit. >> And I hope you ain't got your gun out. And I want your badge numbers now. Put it right there. Here, hand it to me. Hand it to me. Dingell. >> I don't know. >> You want ME I'LL GET OUT. >> GET OUT, BEN. >> I'LL GET OUT. >> YOU GET OUT. >> I'M GETTING OUT. >> GET OUT, TODD, NOW. >> I'M GETTING OUT NOW. >> DON'T REACH FOR [ __ ] GET OUT. GET OUT. She's under She's under arrest. >> I'M GETTING OUT. >> GET IN THE CAR. >> I'M GETTING OUT. >> DUDE, GET OFF OF HER, MAN. >> I'M STEPPING OUT. >> WHOA. >> STOP HURTING HER. NOW, DON'T DO THAT. >> GET HER OUT. >> You got me And you I GOT IT. NOW, DON'T YOU [ __ ] TOUCH ME. DON'T GRAB MY WRIST. CRAZY BRO. DINGELL, AND YOU JUST TOLD me to do that. You know what I'm saying? >> She's going to get a charge for obstruction. >> NO, I DIDN'T OBSTRUCT [ __ ] >> WHAT DID SHE OBSTRUCT, BEN? YOU KNEW you were unauthorized. She showed UP IN A CAR TO PICK you up and get you out of there. You're out of here. Move the car. >> This not make any sense, man. >> You knew you had warrants. You barricaded yourself inside >> barricade myself. >> You locked yourself in there. >> Dude, did you see what your officer did to me? This doesn't make any sense. >> Sit down. >> I can't believe this, man. >> You should have just turned yourself in. Sit. Sit. >> No, I can't sit. >> Yeah, because you have big wrists, man. Come on. >> Can you Can you Can you undo this a little bit? It's It's cutting my wrist circulation off, brother. I promise. >> Hey, I will I will Let me take you to the jail in there. I'll undo them, okay? >> Okay. Are you taking me right away? Cuz this is cutting my wrist off. Calm down. >> No, you calm down. >> All this didn't have to happen tonight. >> No, I really don't >> Why didn't you come out? >> I was Why are you even coming to get me? FOR ONE, I JUST PICKED HIM UP FROM WORK. >> YOU had warrants. You knew you had warrants. You locked the door on us. >> I did NOT LOCK THE DOOR on you. My door is always locked, bro. >> Him. >> Off rip, he told me to come pick him up from work. I don't have to lie about [ __ ] I'm counsel. I actually have my card. >> Why didn't you just come out? Why'd you get your sister involved in this, man? >> Man, look. The stuff that happened to me last week, dude, I was afraid he was going to do something to me. I'm not even lying. I wasn't even bothering nobody, and I was afraid that something was going to happen to me. I know you have warrants. How do you get in the car, all right? >> You got big wrists. It's just something that happens, all right? >> I'm not I'm not I'm not insubordinate at all. Oh, can you let my window up cuz I don't want to sit in my car being searched. They They don't have permission to search my car. >> Okay, get in the car. Shoes, pillows. This sister is more of the one that you got to do what? Moorish Nation or whatever. They They've already sued the judge, well, both judges up here. >> Ben and his fake lawyer were taken to jail without further incident. While the fake lawyer was charged with obstruction, Ben was charged with failure to identify and obstructing official business for the first incident, totaling a bond of $6,000. For the second incident, he was charged with driving an unsafe motor vehicle, fictitious plates, and non-compliance. the law. He was charged with two counts of fictitious registration, driving with a suspended license, non-compliance, failure to comply with a police officer, failure to disclose personal information, and obstructing official business. During Ben's trial, where he showed up with his fake lawyer, the court rendered its verdict and imposed sentence, but then Ben shouted gibberish to drown out the judge. For all incidents, he was ordered to serve 330 days of jail time, but only 60 days were required due to the rest being suspended. placed on probation for 2 years and was ordered to pay $880 in fines and $680 court costs. During trial, he consistently disrupted court with Moorish sovereign arguments. >> Now, what would you do if someone claimed they weren't bound by the same laws as everyone else? If they told you the police, the courts, and even the government itself had no power over them. And that's not hypothetical, it's the worldview of Moorish sovereign citizens, a movement that's been colliding with law enforcement across the country. To the untrained eye, their defiance might look like simple stubbornness, but beneath the surface, there's an entire pseudo-legal belief system fueling these encounters. The Moorish sovereign citizen movement traces its roots back to the early 20th century. Moorish identity stems from the Moorish Science Temple of America, a group that originally focused on spirituality and cultural pride. Now, over time, groups distorted that heritage into a legal theory that claimed special status to a centuries-old treaty between Morocco and the United States. The problem is no court has ever recognized this interpretation and every attempt to use it as a defense in modern America has been struck down. They often point to obscure documents or self-created IDs that they believe grant them autonomy. Whether it's refusing to get a driver's license, declining to register a car, or claiming immunity from taxes. However, none of these positions has survived legal scrutiny. Now, the idea of sovereignty, of answering to no one, feels liberating, so it's no coincidence that these beliefs often find traction online, where conspiracy theories thrive. So, for police officers, awareness is crucial. And training materials across the country now specifically identify sovereign citizen rhetoric. So, the question is, if the law can be bent by self-declared exceptions, what happens to the idea of justice for everyone else?