Hyperlink lawsuit below info is at bottom approx two thirds down ... defendants are interesting though!!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/91590240/Abeel-et-al-v-Bank-of-America-et-al-uncensored

Self-Proclaimed President of Sovereign Citizen Group Sentenced to Federal Prison for Promoting Tax Fraud Scheme
U.S. Department of Justice July 31, 2013 Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007/TDD (202) 514-1888

WASHINGTON-The Justice Department, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the FBI announced today that James Timothy Turner, also known as Tim Turner, was sentenced to serve 18 years in federal prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, attempting to pay taxes with fictitious financial instruments, attempting to obstruct and impede the IRS, failing to file a 2009 federal income tax return, and falsely testifying under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding. In March 2013, following a five-day jury trial, Turner was convicted on 10 counts in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Based on the evidence introduced at trial and in court filings, Turner, the self-proclaimed "president" of the sovereign citizen group Republic for the united States of America (RuSA), traveled the country in 2008 and 2009 conducting seminars teaching attendees how to defraud the IRS by preparing and submitting fictitious bonds to the U.S. government in payment of federal taxes, mortgages, and other debt. The evidence at trial revealed the bonds are fictitious, and witnesses testified that Turner used special paper, financial terminology, and elaborate borders in an effort to make them look authentic and more likely to succeed in defrauding the recipient. Turner was convicted of sending a $300 million fictitious bond in his own name and of aiding and abetting others in sending 15 other fictitious bonds to the Treasury Department to pay taxes and other debts. The evidence at trial also established that Turner taught people

how to file retaliatory liens against government officials who interfered with the processing of fictitious bonds. Turner filed a purported $17.6 billion maritime lien in Montgomery County, Alabama Probate Court against another individual. This investigation began after Turner and three other self-proclaimed "Guardian Elders" sent demands to all 50 governors in the United States in March 2010 ordering each governor to resign within three days to be replaced by a "sovereign" leader or be "removed." The FBI immediately began investigating Turner and IRS- Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) joined the investigation soon thereafter. "This lengthy prison sentence shows that tax defiers like Turner who use bogus tax schemes and file retaliatory liens against government officials will be punished," said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Tax Dimonacovision Kathryn Keneally. "The Justice Department will continue to work with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who attempt to defraud the government." "This sentence should send a message that if you attempt to use retaliatory tax liens and fraudulent tax schemes as weapons against the United States and its citizens you will be punished," stated acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama. "We cannot and will not tolerate those who violate the law for financial gain. I would like to thank the law enforcement officers who worked vigilantly on this case to bring this criminal to justice." "Turner influenced others with his false ideology by aggressively promoting obstruction of the IRS," stated Richard Weber, Chief, IRS-Criminal Investigation. "In truth, Turner's own defiance of IRS and his attempts to lead others through the same labyrinth of lies and distortions led to his downfall as shown by the significant sentence he must now serve. Today's sentence should also send a strong message to those who may follow in Turner's footsteps and attempt to defy their tax obligations. The legality of our income tax laws has been challenged time and time again and the courts have consistently upheld them." "The FBI is committed to vigorously investigate individuals and groups who steal from the federal government for financial gain through schemes deigned to avoid payment on loans, taxes, and other obligations owed the federal government," stated Stephen Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Mobile Division. In addition to prison time, Turner was ordered to pay $26,021 in

restitution to the IRS and to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison. This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and IRS-CI and was prosecuted by Tax Division Trial Attorney Justin Gelfand and Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S. Attorney Gray Borden.

Comment (opinion) submitted by Bob H in Florida:

Tim Turner got 18 years for his tax fraud scheme of paying taxes with fictional financial instruments and filing fake retaliatory liens against government officials. How many of his followers did he con into doing the same scheme? Remember that Turner, as head of the RuSA intended to supplant the government of each state with RuSA operatives who used corrupt means to enforce their edicts. They thought they could simply ignore the State constitutions which already provide a means for "the people" to use their sovereign political power to install government leaders. Had they succeeded, the states would have delusional fundamentalist Christian thugs in charge. But let us also remember the REASON so many gullible people followed Tim Turner from The Restore America Plan (TRAP), a failure also led by criminal Glen Unger (Sam Kennedy), Regan Dwayne, and Tom Shaults, to the Republic of the united States of America (RuSA). They felt then, and feel now, utter dismay and disgust at having their voting power swamped by leftist elitists, BOZOS, and stupid/ignorant street dregs of the Democratic Party whom organizations like ACORN drug to the polls. They felt alarmed that leftist heads of US Government will destroy America right before their eyes, turning it into the equivalent of a Communist/Muslim dictatorship while spending it into oblivion and destroying the dollar as the world's reserve currency. On the one hand, I share their disgust and alarm. On the other hand, I sincerely believe that this Patriot Myth Monger James Timothy Turner (Tim Turner) belongs in prison. I hope the delusional, dangerous, tent-revivalpreacher style con-man never gets out. He has helped to give the "sovereign citizens movement" a bad name. I congratulate the FBI on the excellent work in bring this perp to justice. I also hope that all of Tim Turner's TRAP and RuSA followers will refocus their

energies. They should become intelligently, politically, and cohesively active, and campaign hard for honest, informed, intelligent, ethical candidates for the legislatures and executive seats in the US and their states. -Bob H.

<br>

Stupid is as stupid does, Sir! Self-Proclaimed President of Sovereign Citizen Group Sentenced to Federal Prison for Promoting Tax Fraud Scheme
U.S. Department of Justice July 31, 2013

Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007/TDD (202) 514-1888

WASHINGTONThe Justice Department, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the FBI announced today that James Timothy Turner, also known as Tim Turner, was sentenced to serve 18 years in federal prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, attempting to pay taxes with fictitious financial instruments, attempting to obstruct and impede the IRS, failing to file a 2009 federal income tax return, and falsely testifying under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding. In March 2013, following a five-day jury trial, Turner was convicted on 10 counts in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Based on the evidence introduced at trial and in court filings, Turner, the self-proclaimed president of the sovereign citizen group Republic for the united States of America (RuSA), traveled the country in 2008 and 2009 conducting seminars teaching attendees how to defraud the IRS by preparing and submitting fictitious bonds to the U.S. government in payment of federal taxes, mortgages, and other debt. The evidence at trial revealed the bonds are fictitious, and witnesses testified that Turner used special paper, financial terminology, and elaborate borders in an effort to make them look authentic and more likely to succeed in defrauding the recipient. Turner was convicted of sending a $300 million fictitious bond in his own name and of aiding and abetting others in sending 15 other fictitious bonds to the Treasury Department to pay taxes and other debts. The evidence at trial also established that Turner taught people how to file retaliatory liens against government officials who interfered with the processing of fictitious bonds. Turner filed a purported $17.6 billion maritime lien in Montgomery County, Alabama Probate Court against another individual. This investigation began after Turner and three other self-proclaimed

Guardian Elders sent demands to all 50 governors in the United States in March 2010 ordering each governor to resign within three days to be replaced by a sovereign leader or be removed. The FBI immediately began investigating Turner and IRS- Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) joined the investigation soon thereafter. This lengthy prison sentence shows that tax defiers like Turner who use bogus tax schemes and file retaliatory liens against government officials will be punished, said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Departments Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. The Justice Department will continue to work with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who attempt to defraud the government. This sentence should send a message that if you attempt to use retaliatory tax liens and fraudulent tax schemes as weapons against the United States and its citizens you will be punished, stated acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama. We cannot and will not tolerate those who violate the law for financial gain. I would like to thank the law enforcement officers who worked vigilantly on this case to bring this criminal to justice. Turner influenced others with his false ideology by aggressively promoting obstruction of the IRS, stated Richard Weber, Chief, IRS-Criminal Investigation. In truth, Turners own defiance of IRS and his attempts to lead others through the same labyrinth of lies and distortions led to his downfall as shown by the significant sentence he must now serve. Todays sentence should also send a strong message to those who may follow in Turners footsteps and attempt to defy their tax obligations. The legality of our income tax laws has been challenged time and time again and the courts have consistently upheld them. The FBI is committed to vigorously investigate individuals and groups who steal from the federal government for financial gain through schemes deigned to avoid payment on loans, taxes, and other obligations owed the federal government, stated Stephen Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Mobile Division. In addition to prison time, Turner was ordered to pay $26,021 in restitution to the IRS and to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison. This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and IRS-CI and was prosecuted by Tax Division Trial Attorney Justin Gelfand and Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S. Attorney Gray Borden.
Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, September 18, 2012 Self-Proclaimed President of Sovereign Citizen Group Indicted for Tax Crimes

A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Ala., charged James Timothy Turner, also known as Tim Turner, with conspiracy to defraud the United States, attempting to pay taxes with fictitious financial instruments, attempting to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), failing to file a 2009 federal income tax return and falsely testifying under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding, the Justice Department, the IRS, and the FBI announced today.

According to the indictment, Turner, the self-proclaimed President of the sovereign citizen group Republic for the united States of America, conducted seminars at which he taught attendees how to file retaliatory liens against government officials and to defraud the IRS by preparing and submitting fictitious bonds to the United States government in payment of federal taxes. Turner is alleged to have attempted to pay his own taxes with a fictitious $300 million bond and to have assisted others in attempting to pay their taxes with fictitious bonds purporting to be worth amounts ranging from $10 million to $100 billion.

An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Turner faces a maximum of 164 years in federal prison, a maximum fine of $2,350,000 and mandatory restitution.

This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Justin Gelfand of the Justice Departments Tax Division and Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S. Attorney Gray Borden. 12-1126 Tax Division Discrimination Complaint against DOJ employee or DOJ funded organization Discrimination

The Civil Rights Division is the primary institution within the federal government responsible for enforcing federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, and national origin. 202-514-4609 (voice) 202-514-0716 (TDD) Americans with Disabilities Act 800-514-0301 (voice) 800-514-0383 (TTY) (also in Spanish) How to file an ADA complaint

Section 508 202-305-8304 (voice) 202-353-8944 (TTY) Educational discrimination 877-292-3804 or 202 514-4092 Fax: 202-514-8337 Employment discrimination Contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) 800-669-4000 (voice) 800-669-6820 (TTY) Housing discrimination 800-896-7743 E-mail: fairhousing@usdoj.gov Complaints against institutions Jails, prisons, juvenile facilities, developmental disability/mental retardation facilities, mental health facilities or nursing homes) Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) and Places of Worship (RLUIPA) National origin discrimination Information available in: Arabic, Cambodian; Chinese; English; French; Haitian Creole; Hindi; Hmong; Korean; Laotian; Punjabi; Russian; Spanish; Tagalog; Urdu; and Vietnamese State or local law enforcement agencies Voting rights discrimination 800-253-3931 E-mail: Voting.Section@usdoj.gov

Complaint against DOJ employee or DOJ funded organization

Report waste, fraud, abuse, or misconduct Report violations of civil rights or civil liberties File a complaint with the Office of Professional Responsibility File a discrimination complaint against a recipient of financial assistance from OJP and COPS or from other Department of Justice agencies

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Alleged sovereign citizen denied release by Utah federal judge Courts Louisiana man said to be the brains behind paper terrorism scheme.

By brooke adams | The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Oct 02 2012 06:43 pm Last Updated Oct 02 2012 11:58 pm

A Louisiana man described as the "brains" behind an alleged sovereign citizenship scheme that attempted to saddle state court judges and other authorities with billion-dollar debt claims will remain jailed in Utah until his trial. Robert Clifton Tanner, 44, denied being aligned with the sovereign citizen movement during a detention hearing Tuesday, but U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Paul Warner decided to detain Tanner because of his pronouncements that armed militia men would issue warrants to state, court and law personnel and order them held in a Louisiana prison.

At a glance

The sovereign-citizen movement In September, a federal grand jury in Alabama charged James Timothy Turner, self-proclaimed president of the Republic for the united States of America, with tax fraud and conspiracy after he failed to pay taxes or paid with fake financial documents. The indictment alleges he set up seminars across the country to teach participants how to file retaliatory liens against government officials and defraud the IRS using fictitious bonds to pay federal taxes. On its website, the republic says its goals are to end government intrusions of all types, such as tax collections; vehicle, marriage and property licensing requirements; create a corrected money system; and forgive all corporate actors who repent for the state-sponsored crimes against mankind. But most sovereigns operate in a decentralized manner with scattered local leaders. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the adherents hold anti-government views and believe common law principles have been abdicated, and legal, governmental and monetary systems corrupted. Some sovereigns have engaged in violence, the center says, shooting police officers during traffic stops and property disputes.
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Assistant U.S. Attorney John Huber argued for Tanners detention, saying he does not recognize the authority of so-called "inferior" courts of the United States. Tanner also threatened to file paper liens against U.S. Marshals in Utah and Tennessee, Huber said. After being arrested in Louisiana, Tanner refused to identify himself in court and had to be forced to provide fingerprints and a booking mug shot. Benjamin Hamilton, an attorney appointed to assist Tanner, said his client was willing to "subject himself to the authority of this court" and denied making any threats.

Across the country, there are numerous court actions involving so-called anti-government sovereign citizens who claim they are answerable only to English common law and are not subject to taxation or other actions by the U.S. government. The Southern Poverty Law Center estimated in 2011 that there were 100,000 "hard core" sovereign citizens and another 200,000 dabblers. Theyve been described as engaging in "paper terrorism" due to liens and debt claims made to thwart civil and criminal actions. At least three states have passed laws making filing fraudulent liens against public servants a crime. In Tanners case, a federal indictment alleges he instructed Maria Melody Fuentes Cecil of Spanish Fork, Utah, how to file a "notice of expatriation" to declare herself a sovereign citizen in an attempt to exempt herself from various legal proceedings in state courts in Utah County. Each faces four counts of mail fraud. This spring, Cecil sent certified letters to at least four judges and a commissioner demanding judgments be voided and property returned within three days or payment of either $3.2 billion or $804 billion. On June 8, Cecil also filed a "notice of international commercial claim in admiralty administrative remedy," signed by Tanner, with the Utah County Recorders Office. The document made similar financial claims against the judges and commissioner, whom they claimed were in default for not responding to earlier demands. Tanner was listed as the "creditor secured party," while Cecil was listed as Tanners "agent." Days later, they sent a second round of documents to the same individuals as well as individuals in the Utah County Sheriffs Office. A cover later stated that the payment demand was a "mature International Commercial claim" against the individuals and had the "full force and effect from the Common Law Court from the State of Louisiana and Utah and must be acted upon." They also filed financial and property liens based on the false indebtedness claims,the indictment says, though Hamilton said no actual liens were put in place. Cecil, 42, appeared before Magistrate Judge Dustin Pead on Sept. 4. She also is being detained until her trial, set for Nov. 5. Attorney Sharon L. Preston, who is representing Cecil, said her client experienced a lot of stress and depression when she came under Tanners influence. She faced juvenile court proceedings involving her children and had been charged with driving under the influence. Cecil had separated herself from Tanner and had "abandoned" belief in the sovereign citizen movement, Preston said. "She realizes she was getting bad advice." Pead, describing the situation as more "sinister" than simply being misled, ordered Cecil to undergo a mental health evaluation. Huber said it would likely show she is competent. "These are anti-government, tightly held beliefs," he said. "Its about hating the government and checking out. Its not delusional or anything like that." While living in Hawaii in 2009, Tanner tried to block that states effort to collect taxes and foreclose on property used by his church. He provides forms he used in that action in a series of blog posts, some of which identify him as a reverend with either the "Ecclesia of the First Born

of Christ" or The Holy Chosen Baptist Church. He also claimed that without proof of "public hazard" insurance bonds, judges and police had no authority to enforce any state action against him. In an Oct. 12, 2010, affidavit posted on his blog, Tanner declared the Hawaiian court a "public menace," declared all action against him void and said if his name was not removed from all state records all property held by court judges and employees and their partners would be forfeited to him and his church.

The sovereign-citizen movement In September, a federal grand jury in Alabama charged James Timothy Turner, self-proclaimed president of the Republic for the united States of America, with tax fraud and conspiracy after he failed to pay taxes or paid with fake financial documents. The indictment alleges he set up seminars across the country to teach participants how to file retaliatory liens against government officials and defraud the IRS using fictitious bonds to pay federal taxes. On its website, the republic says its goals are to end government intrusions of all types, such as tax collections; vehicle, marriage and property licensing requirements; create a corrected money system; and forgive all corporate actors who repent for the state-sponsored crimes against mankind. But most sovereigns operate in a decentralized manner with scattered local leaders. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the adherents hold anti-government views and believe common law principles have been abdicated, and legal, governmental and monetary systems corrupted. Some sovereigns have engaged in violence, the center says, shooting police officers during traffic stops and property disputes.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) A southeast Alabama man who describes himself as the leader of a so-called "sovereign citizen" group is facing federal criminal charges. Authorities say James Timothy Turner is charged with conspiracy to defraud the government and attempting to pay taxes with a fake $300 million bond. He's also charged with failing to file a tax return and testifying falsely during a bankruptcy proceeding. Turner didn't return a phone call left Tuesday at a number on his website. The Skipperville man conducts seminars and calls himself president of the Republic for the United States of America. He promotes the idea that residents can file court documents to avoid taxes and debt.

Prosecutors say Turner has helped others try to pay taxes with worthless bonds that are supposedly worth up to $100 billion.

Self-Proclaimed President of "R.U.S.A" Convicted of Tax Fraud and Conspiracy

Share on email By: Press Release Posted: Fri 10:26 PM, Mar 22, 2013 Share on reddit Share on twitter Share on facebook

Montgomery, AL - After a five-day trial, a federal jury in Montgomery, Ala., found James Timothy Turner, 57, also known as Tim Turner, of Skipperville, Alabama guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, attempting to pay taxes with fictitious financial instruments, attempting to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), failing to file a 2009 federal income tax return, and falsely testifying under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding, announced Sandra J. Stewart, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. The FBI began an investigation after Turner and three other individuals sent demands to all fifty governors in the United States ordering each governor to resign within three days or be removed. The FBIs investigation revealed that Turner was the self-proclaimed President of the so-called sovereign citizen group Republic for the united States of America (RuSA). As President, Turner traveled the country in 2008 and 2009 teaching others how to defraud the IRS by preparing and submitting fictitious bonds to the United States government in payment of federal taxes. Witnesses at trial testified that Turner used special paper, financial terminology, and elaborate borders in an effort to make the fake bonds look real and thus, more likely to succeed in defrauding the IRS.

Turner was convicted of sending a $300 million bond in his own name and of aiding and abetting others in sending fifteen other bonds to the Treasury Department to pay taxes and other debts. The evidence at trial also established that Turner taught people how to file retaliatory liens against government officials who interfered with the processing of fictitious bonds. Turner himself actually filed a purported $17.6 billion maritime lien in Montgomery County, Alabama, Probate Court against another individual. The jurys verdict in this case sends a message that defrauding the government and others through the use of bogus financial documents will not be tolerated, said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Departments Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. Disagreement with the law is no excuse for the real harm caused by these self-interested tax defiers. These sovereign citizen groups use these retaliatory tax liens and fraudulent tax schemes as weapons against the United States and its citizens, stated Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. It is only the hard work of law enforcement that can stop these criminals from using these financial weapons. I would like to thank the law enforcement officers who worked vigilantly on this case to bring this criminal to justice. "The prosecution of individuals who intentionally impede the IRS by submitting fictitious and frivolous documents, in an attempt to avoid paying federal taxes, is a vital element in maintaining public confidence in our tax system, stated Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. Hopefully the verdict today will send a message to other individuals like Turner, that this conduct will not be tolerated. This joint investigation exemplifies the governments commitment to investigate and prosecute those, who through tax schemes, attempt to cheat and steal from the government, stated Stephen Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Division. Turner remains in federal custody pending sentencing. Turner faces a potential maximum prison term of 164 years, a maximum potential fine of $2,350,000, and mandatory restitution. This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Tax Division Trial Attorney Justin Gelfand and Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S. Attorney Gray Borden.
Fri 10:26 PM, Mar 22, 2013

Montgomery, AL - After a five-day trial, a federal jury in Montgomery, Ala., found James Timothy Turner, 57, also known as Tim Turner, of Skipperville, Alabama guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, attempting to pay taxes with fictitious financial instruments, attempting to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), failing to file a 2009 federal income tax return, and falsely testifying under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding, announced Sandra J. Stewart, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.

The FBI began an investigation after Turner and three other individuals sent demands to all fifty governors in the United States ordering each governor to resign within three days or be removed.

The FBIs investigation revealed that Turner was the self-proclaimed President of the so-called sovereign citizen group Republic for the united States of America (RuSA). As President, Turner traveled the country in 2008 and 2009 teaching others how to defraud the IRS by preparing and submitting fictitious bonds to the United States government in payment of federal taxes. Witnesses at trial testified that Turner used special paper, financial terminology, and elaborate borders in an effort to make the fake bonds look real and thus, more likely to succeed in defrauding the IRS.

Turner was convicted of sending a $300 million bond in his own name and of aiding and abetting others in sending fifteen other bonds to the Treasury Department to pay taxes and other debts. The evidence at trial also established that Turner taught people how to file retaliatory liens against government officials who interfered with the processing of fictitious bonds.

Turner himself actually filed a purported $17.6 billion maritime lien in Montgomery County, Alabama, Probate Court against another individual.

The jurys verdict in this case sends a message that defrauding the government and others through the use of bogus financial documents will not be tolerated, said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Departments Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. Disagreement with the law is no excuse for the real harm caused by these selfinterested tax defiers.

These sovereign citizen groups use these retaliatory tax liens and fraudulent tax schemes as weapons against the United States and its citizens, stated Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. It is only the hard work of law enforcement that can stop these criminals from using these financial weapons. I would like to thank the law enforcement officers who worked vigilantly on this case to bring this criminal to justice.

"The prosecution of individuals who intentionally impede the IRS by submitting fictitious and frivolous documents, in an attempt to avoid paying federal taxes, is a vital element in maintaining public confidence in our tax system, stated Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. Hopefully the verdict today will send a message to other individuals like Turner, that this conduct will not be tolerated.

This joint investigation exemplifies the governments commitment to investigate and prosecute those, who through tax schemes, attempt to cheat and steal from the government, stated Stephen Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Division.

Turner remains in federal custody pending sentencing. Turner faces a potential maximum

years, a maximum potential fine of $2,350,000, and mandatory restitution.

prison term of 164

This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Tax Division Trial Attorney Justin Gelfand and Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S. Attorney Gray Borden.

/////

And I was classified as a "Traitor to the Republic" because I advised AGAINST this scheme ...

Mark Potok

Senior Fellow

Mark Potok is one of the countrys leading experts on the world of extremism and serves as the editor-in-chief of the SPLCs award-winning, quarterly journal, the Intelligence Report, its Hatewatch blog, and its investigative reports. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Mark has appeared on numerous television news programs and is quoted regularly by journalists and scholars in both the United States and abroad. In addition, he has testified before the U.S. Senate, the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights and in other venues. Before joining the SPLC staff in 1997, Mark spent 20 years as an award-winning journalist at major newspapers, including USA Today, the Dallas Times Herald and The Miami Herald. While at USA Today, he covered the 1993 Waco siege, the rise of militias, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the trial of Timothy McVeigh.

Articles, News and Blog Posts by Mark Potok

Intelligence Report, Summer 2012, Issue Number: 146

#2 Republic for The united States of America Plagued by Criminality

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By Ryan Lenz

Monty Ervin lived a double identity for many years. In public, he was a wealthy businessman who had amassed hundreds of investment properties across the Southeast that brought in $85,000 a month. But in the shadowed underworld of the antigovernment sovereign citizens movement, he was much more a ranking official with growing influence. On his properties in Dale County, Ala., Ervin stocked food and compiled what federal authorities described as an arsenal of weapons in preparation for the day the federal government collapsed. In his backyard, he buried plastic tubes containing more than $350,000 in gold coins. And when the IRS finally came calling for back taxes on income totaling more than $9 million, he responded with a bold proclamation. I, Monty-Wayne, of the family of Ervin, am a sovereign Most Christian Prince, he wrote in a declaration he filed with the Houston County Probate Court in 2006. I am not a numbered member of the communitarian welfare benefit trust called Social Security Administration. It wasnt clear at the time, but Ervins odd view of the federal government was shared by growing numbers across the country. In South Alabama, men who were part of that movement were laying the foundation for the Republic for the united States of America (RuSA), the largest and most organized sovereign group in the United States today. Since forming in late 2010, the group claims to have built governments-in-waiting in 38 states and to have membership in nearly every other. When he was arrested last year, Ervin had risen to the rank of governor of Alabama. He had long preached his success at avoiding taxes, and he claimed he had no obligation to the United States. Last November, the courts found otherwise. Ervin and his wife, Patricia, were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and three counts of tax evasion. As of press time, both were awaiting sentencing. Ervin isnt the only RuSA member who has run afoul of the law. A woman in South Alabama has been on the run for several months after being convicted of burglary for removing the For Sale sign of a home in foreclosure and declaring ownership. A man in Birmingham is scheduled for trial on charges that he filed bogus property liens and other court documents to intimidate anyone he considered an enemy a sovereign tactic known as paper terrorism. Early last year, in Arizona, a so-called ambassador for RuSA was shot and killed after he tried to wrestle a Taser away from a police officer. And more recently, in West Virginia, a former congressman for the group was found dead with his 9-year-old son in a burned trailer home

a case that remains under investigation but which authorities have said they believe was a murder-suicide.

Monty Ervin The Flames Spread

These are just a few of the many criminal cases arising from the sovereign citizens movement across the country. The vast majority involve tax or financial scams, or defiance of traffic laws, like driving without a license or having fake license plates or IDs. But police are increasingly reporting confrontations with the potential for violence. Last September, the FBI issued a bulletin to law enforcement agencies that described sovereign citizens as a domestic terrorist movement. And in February, the FBI held a news conference to announce it was increasing its scrutiny of the movement. We started to notice a heightened potential for violence, said Stu McArthur, deputy director of the FBIs counterterrorism division. RuSAs president, a reclusive figure named James Timothy Turner, insists that members are lawful citizens who have simply uncovered truths about the illegitimacy of the federal government. But the mounting allegations against members of the group are a worrisome sign. Through interviews with several sources in law enforcement, all on condition of anonymity, the Intelligence Report has learned that RuSA has been under federal investigation for some time. Law enforcement sources say they fear that the group, which believes the time has come to reinhabit the true government, is becoming more radical and that members are increasingly willing to stand up to defend their views. Several high-profile disagreements #1 within the leadership have led to a large exodus of members; those who remain are a defiant core of sovereigns loyal to RuSA.

James Timothy Turner While RuSA leaders declined numerous requests for comment, Jack Mizell, a 69-year-old architect in Ozark, Ala., whose house serves as a base of operations for RuSA, did speak on behalf of the group. Over the course of a contentious interview, Mizell seemed interested more in verbal sparring than answering questions. Finally, he brazenly dismissed all criticism leveled against RuSA.

You have people going around and telling lies and saying folks are going to jump out of the car and shoot you, Mizell said. Theyre lying. They cant tell the truth, because they dont know what the truth is. The truth is that in May 2010, sovereigns did jump out of the car and shoot murdering two police officers in West Memphis, Ark. Jerry Kane and his 16-year-old son Joseph, both sovereigns, died in a shower of police gunfire less than an hour later, but not before shooting and seriously wounding two more officers while cornered in a parking lot. The Kanes were not known to have any affiliation with RuSA, but they shared many of the same beliefs. Schemes, Scams and Conspiracies The next sovereign to die in a confrontation with law enforcement was one of RuSAs own. William Foust, a prominent businessman in Page, Ariz., and a RuSA ambassador, was shot and killed on June 20, 2011, by a police officer responding to a domestic violence complaint. According to the police report, Foust lunged for the officers Taser. But within the echo chamber of the sovereign underground, the story was spun to paint Foust as the first victim in the coming confrontation with Washington the target of federal assassins, Turner claimed. What really happened? Because our investigation shows clearly he was murdered, Turner said in a radio interview late last year. Of course, the de facto investigators have covered it all up. Its not uncommon for Turner, one of the most charismatic sovereign leaders in America, to bend the facts to match the fantasy. In the past, he has claimed to have cured leukemia, to have cowed judges with magical pronouncements, and to have discovered secrets of history that unveiled the U.S. government as a corporation organized to enslave citizens in financial bondage.

Even with his active imagination, Turner might have trouble explaining away the charges against other RuSA members. Through internal RuSA documents obtained by the Report and interviews with police and district attorneys, the Report has identified several high-profile criminal cases police have associated with Turners group. Janet Tharpe Hancock, an early RuSA follower, was charged with two counts of felony forgery after she drafted a bogus money order from the Department of the Treasury in April 2010. She was also charged with forging a check from the Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia. More recently, in December, Hancock was convicted of burglary after she removed a For Sale sign from a house in Ozark, Ala., and took up residence. Speaking after Hancock was convicted, Dale County District Attorney Doug Valeska said she had filed numerous documents identifying herself as janet tharpe-: for the family hancock to contest the jurisdiction of the charges, declaring that dominion to the land was subject only to the will of the creator. (Such language and punctuation of names is typical of sovereigns.) She was sentenced to three years in prison, but did not appear for her sentencing. At press time, her whereabouts were unknown. In Connecticut, John McGowan, a public television host and former candidate for mayor in Danbury, led a quiet life until the fact that he was a senator with RuSA came to light during a trial on charges he forcibly had sex with a woman with whom he was involved. He was convicted of first-degree sexual assault and sentenced to four years in jail. During trial, the woman, whose identity was protected, described him as a monster.
#4

INDIANAPOLIS A Wayne County man investigated by federal agents and arrested last month on a charge related to his repossessed home appeared in U.S. District Court this week. Byron Barney Bellar, 52, of Richmond was charged with passing or uttering fictitious obligations. Bellar is accused by the FBI of submitting a worthless "bond" in an attempt to pay a debt of $130,519.29 owed on his home. The home, located at 3836 Norris Road, recently was sold by authorities in a sheriffs sale. Issuing a "bond" is consistent with tactics used in the sovereign citizen movement to attempt to pay large debts, experts have said. The FBI identified Bellar as a sovereign citizen in a complaint filed on Sept. 12, and the bond Bellar sent clearly identifies him as a "Titled Sovereign." Family members, neighbors and co-workers of Bellar have said they do not believe he is part of any such group. An email from Brenda Owens, the state administrator of Indiana Free State, a part of the sovereign citizen group Republic for the united States of America, said she do not personally know Bellar.

He is not in our records in Indiana Free State, Owens wrote. I do not know if he has ever been a citizen of the Republic for the united States of America either. There are a lot of sovereign and patriotic groups out there, and there are some that look and try to act like us but are not. We do not promote committing any unlawful acts, and we promote peacefulness. Local authorities have said Bellar initially refused to leave his home, and a SWAT team was called to the property on Sept. 17 to inspect for possible explosives at the home. None were found. Bellar was arrested by federal agents that morning in Ohio and later was released on his own recognizance after appearing in court. Court documents indicate Bellar appeared in District Court for a preliminary hearing Tuesday. Bellar notified the court he wanted to proceed pro se, meaning he will represent himself in future court proceedings. After arguments were presented and testimony was made, the court decided there was probable cause to arrest and charge Bellar with the crime of passing or uttering fictitious obligations. No future court dates in the case were available in court records Thursday. On Wednesday, the court announced a change in judges in Bellars case. The case will now be heard by Judge Debra McVicker Lynch after the retirement of Judge Kennard P. Foster, the court said.
ri 10:26 PM, Mar 22, 2013

Montgomery, AL - After a five-day trial, a federal jury in Montgomery, Ala., found James Timothy Turner, 57, also known as Tim Turner, of Skipperville, Alabama guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, attempting to pay taxes with fictitious financial instruments, attempting to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), failing to file a 2009 federal income tax return, and falsely testifying under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding, announced Sandra J. Stewart, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.

The FBI began an investigation after Turner and three other individuals sent demands to all fifty governors in the United States ordering each governor to resign within three days or be removed.

The FBIs investigation revealed that Turner was the self-proclaimed President of the so-called sovereign citizen group Republic for the united States of America (RuSA). As President, Turner traveled the country in 2008 and 2009 teaching others how to defraud the IRS by preparing and submitting fictitious bonds to the United States government in payment of federal taxes. Witnesses at trial testified that Turner used special paper, financial terminology, and elaborate borders in an effort to make the fake bonds look real and thus, more likely to succeed in defrauding the IRS.

Turner was convicted of sending a $300 million bond in his own name and of aiding and abetting others in sending fifteen other bonds to the Treasury Department to pay taxes and other debts. The evidence at trial also established that Turner taught people how to file retaliatory liens against government officials who interfered with the processing of fictitious bonds.

Turner himself actually filed a purported $17.6 billion maritime lien in Montgomery County, Alabama, Probate Court against another individual.

The jurys verdict in this case sends a message that defrauding the government and others through the use of bogus financial documents will not be tolerated, said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Departments Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. Disagreement with the law is no excuse for the real harm caused by these selfinterested tax defiers.

These sovereign citizen groups use these retaliatory tax liens and fraudulent tax schemes as weapons against the United States and its citizens, stated Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. It is only the hard work of law enforcement that can stop these criminals from using these financial weapons. I would like to thank the law enforcement officers who worked vigilantly on this case to bring this criminal to justice.

"The prosecution of individuals who intentionally impede the IRS by submitting fictitious and frivolous documents, in an attempt to avoid paying federal taxes, is a vital element in maintaining public confidence in our tax system, stated Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. Hopefully the

verdict today will send a message to other individuals like Turner, that this conduct will not be tolerated.

This joint investigation exemplifies the governments commitment to investigate and prosecute those, who through tax schemes, attempt to cheat and steal from the government, stated Stephen Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Division.

Turner remains in federal custody pending sentencing. Turner faces a potential maximum

years, a maximum potential fine of $2,350,000, and mandatory restitution.

prison term of 164

This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Tax Division Trial Attorney Justin Gelfand and Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S. Attorney Gray Borden.

/////

And I was classified as a "Traitor to the Republic" because I advised AGAINST this scheme

lf-Proclaimed President of "R.U.S.A" Convicted of Tax Fraud and Conspiracy

Montgomery, AL - After a five-day trial, a federal jury in Montgomery, Ala., found James Timothy Turner, 57, also known as Tim Turner, of Skipperville, Alabama guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, attempting to pay taxes with fictitious financial instruments, attempting to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), failing to file a 2009 federal income tax return, and falsely testifying under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding, announced Sandra J. Stewart, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. The FBI began an investigation after Turner and three other individuals sent demands to all fifty governors in the United States ordering each governor to resign within three days or be removed. The FBIs investigation revealed that Turner was the self-proclaimed President of the so-called sovereign citizen group Republic for the united States of America (RuSA). As President, Turner traveled the country in 2008 and 2009 teaching others how to defraud the IRS by preparing and submitting fictitious bonds to the United States government in payment of federal taxes. Witnesses at trial testified that Turner used special paper, financial terminology, and elaborate borders in an effort to make the fake bonds look real and thus, more likely to succeed in defrauding the IRS. Turner was convicted of sending a $300 million bond in his own name and of aiding and abetting others in sending fifteen other bonds to the Treasury Department to pay taxes and other debts. The evidence at trial also established that Turner taught people how to file retaliatory liens against government officials who interfered with the processing of fictitious bonds. Turner himself actually filed a purported $17.6 billion maritime lien in Montgomery County, Alabama, Probate Court against another individual. The jurys verdict in this case sends a message that defrauding the government and others through the use of bogus financial documents will not be tolerated, said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Departments Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. Disagreement with the law is no excuse for the real harm caused by these self-interested tax defiers.

These sovereign citizen groups use these retaliatory tax liens and fraudulent tax schemes as weapons against the United States and its citizens, stated Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. It is only the hard work of law enforcement that can stop these criminals from using these financial weapons. I would like to thank the law enforcement officers who worked vigilantly on this case to bring this criminal to justice. "The prosecution of individuals who intentionally impede the IRS by submitting fictitious and frivolous documents, in an attempt to avoid paying federal taxes, is a vital element in maintaining public confidence in our tax system, stated Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. Hopefully the verdict today will send a message to other individuals like Turner, that this conduct will not be tolerated. This joint investigation exemplifies the governments commitment to investigate and prosecute those, who through tax schemes, attempt to cheat and steal from the government, stated Stephen Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Division. Turner remains in federal custody pending sentencing. Turner faces a potential maximum prison term of 164 years, a maximum potential fine of $2,350,000, and mandatory restitution. This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Tax Division Trial Attorney Justin Gelfand and Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S. Attorney Gray Borden.
Alleged sovereign citizen denied release by Utah federal judge Courts Louisiana man said to be the brains behind paper terrorism scheme.

By brooke adams | The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Oct 02 2012 06:43 pm Last Updated Oct 02 2012 11:58 pm

A Louisiana man described as the "brains" behind an alleged sovereign citizenship scheme that attempted to saddle state court judges and other authorities with billion-dollar debt claims will remain jailed in Utah until his trial. Robert Clifton Tanner, 44, denied being aligned with the sovereign citizen movement during a detention hearing Tuesday, but U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Paul Warner decided to detain Tanner because of his pronouncements that armed militia men would issue warrants to state, court and law personnel and order them held in a Louisiana prison.

At a glance

The sovereign-citizen movement

In September, a federal grand jury in Alabama charged James Timothy Turner, self-proclaimed president of the Republic for the united States of America, with tax fraud and conspiracy after he failed to pay taxes or paid with fake financial documents. The indictment alleges he set up seminars across the country to teach participants how to file retaliatory liens against government officials and defraud the IRS using fictitious bonds to pay federal taxes. On its website, the republic says its goals are to end government intrusions of all types, such as tax collections; vehicle, marriage and property licensing requirements; create a corrected money system; and forgive all corporate actors who repent for the state-sponsored crimes against mankind. But most sovereigns operate in a decentralized manner with scattered local leaders. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the adherents hold anti-government views and believe common law principles have been abdicated, and legal, governmental and monetary systems corrupted. Some sovereigns have engaged in violence, the center says, shooting police officers during traffic stops and property disputes.
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Assistant U.S. Attorney John Huber argued for Tanners detention, saying he does not recognize the authority of so-called "inferior" courts of the United States. Tanner also threatened to file paper liens against U.S. Marshals in Utah and Tennessee, Huber said. After being arrested in Louisiana, Tanner refused to identify himself in court and had to be forced to provide fingerprints and a booking mug shot. Benjamin Hamilton, an attorney appointed to assist Tanner, said his client was willing to "subject himself to the authority of this court" and denied making any threats. Across the country, there are numerous court actions involving so-called anti-government sovereign citizens who claim they are answerable only to English common law and are not subject to taxation or other actions by the U.S. government. The Southern Poverty Law Center estimated in 2011 that there were 100,000 "hard core" sovereign citizens and another 200,000 dabblers. Theyve been described as engaging in "paper terrorism" due to liens and debt claims made to thwart civil and criminal actions. At least three states have passed laws making filing fraudulent liens against public servants a crime. In Tanners case, a federal indictment alleges he instructed Maria Melody Fuentes Cecil of Spanish Fork, Utah, how to file a "notice of expatriation" to declare herself a sovereign citizen in an attempt to exempt herself from various legal proceedings in state courts in Utah County. Each faces four counts of mail fraud. This spring, Cecil sent certified letters to at least four judges and a commissioner demanding judgments be voided and property returned within three days or payment of either $3.2 billion or

$804 billion. On June 8, Cecil also filed a "notice of international commercial claim in admiralty administrative remedy," signed by Tanner, with the Utah County Recorders Office. The document made similar financial claims against the judges and commissioner, whom they claimed were in default for not responding to earlier demands. Tanner was listed as the "creditor secured party," while Cecil was listed as Tanners "agent." Days later, they sent a second round of documents to the same individuals as well as individuals in the Utah County Sheriffs Office. A cover later stated that the payment demand was a "mature International Commercial claim" against the individuals and had the "full force and effect from the Common Law Court from the State of Louisiana and Utah and must be acted upon." They also filed financial and property liens based on the false indebtedness claims,the indictment says, though Hamilton said no actual liens were put in place. Cecil, 42, appeared before Magistrate Judge Dustin Pead on Sept. 4. She also is being detained until her trial, set for Nov. 5. Attorney Sharon L. Preston, who is representing Cecil, said her client experienced a lot of stress and depression when she came under Tanners influence. She faced juvenile court proceedings involving her children and had been charged with driving under the influence. Cecil had separated herself from Tanner and had "abandoned" belief in the sovereign citizen movement, Preston said. "She realizes she was getting bad advice." Pead, describing the situation as more "sinister" than simply being misled, ordered Cecil to undergo a mental health evaluation. Huber said it would likely show she is competent. "These are anti-government, tightly held beliefs," he said. "Its about hating the government and checking out. Its not delusional or anything like that." While living in Hawaii in 2009, Tanner tried to block that states effort to collect taxes and foreclose on property used by his church. He provides forms he used in that action in a series of blog posts, some of which identify him as a reverend with either the "Ecclesia of the First Born of Christ" or The Holy Chosen Baptist Church. He also claimed that without proof of "public hazard" insurance bonds, judges and police had no authority to enforce any state action against him. In an Oct. 12, 2010, affidavit posted on his blog, Tanner declared the Hawaiian court a "public menace," declared all action against him void and said if his name was not removed from all state records all property held by court judges and employees and their partners would be forfeited to him and his church.

The sovereign-citizen movement

In September, a federal grand jury in Alabama charged James Timothy Turner, self-proclaimed president of the Republic for the united States of America, with tax fraud and conspiracy after he failed to pay taxes or paid with fake financial documents. The indictment alleges he set up seminars across the country to teach participants how to file retaliatory liens against government officials and defraud the IRS using fictitious bonds to pay federal taxes. On its website, the republic says its goals are to end government intrusions of all types, such as tax collections; vehicle, marriage and property licensing requirements; create a corrected money system; and forgive all corporate actors who repent for the state-sponsored crimes against mankind. But most sovereigns operate in a decentralized manner with scattered local leaders.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the adherents hold anti-government views and believe common law principles have been abdicated, and legal, governmental and monetary systems corrupted. Some sovereigns have engaged in violence, the center says, shooting police officers during traffic stops and property disputes.