A man identifying as a sovereign citizen resisted arrest during a traffic stop and attempted to reach for a gun, a news release from Slidell police says. According to the release, officers initiated a traffic stop after observing a green Ford Ranger driven by James Doyle Webb violating several traffic laws on Fremaux Avenue.
Webb, 54, 5129 1st Ave. D, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, ignored the officers’ request to see his driver’s license, registration and insurance, instead asking for the officers’ names and badge numbers, the release says.
After providing their names and badge numbers, the release says, the officers again requested to see Webb’s documents, which he again refused to produce. Webb instead took out a small notepad and wrote he was a “free traveler," and not required to give the officers any information because they did not have legal authority over him.
The officers noticed Webb reaching toward a bag sitting next to him on the front seat. According to the release, the officers felt Webb may have been reaching for something, such as a weapon, and ordered him to exit the vehicle.
Following that request, Webb tried to roll his window up. The officers prevented the window from rolling up, and after a brief struggle removed Webb from the vehicle and placed him under arrest. No injuries were reported.
A loaded 40 caliber Heckler & Koch handgun was later found where Webb was reaching. The gun was seized for safekeeping and the vehicle was towed, according to the release.
Webb said he is affiliated with the Sovereign Citizens movement, and repeatedly made comments that he is an explosives expert.
