Update: All three men have been released. Jason Talley reported on Twitter that he was choked and pepper prayed for refusing to provide ID. I tried to get him to call me to get more details but he hasn’t, so I guess we’ll hear about it when they decide to update their website.
By Carlos Miller
Three libertarian activists were arrested today in Mississippi after one of them started filming the cops who had pulled them over, according to initial reports.
Details are sketchy right now as all three men as still in jail in a county called Jones. The men were traveling the country in a motorhome seeking other liberty-minded folks for an online project titled the Motorhome Diaries.
The above photo was taken by Jason Talley who posted it on his Twitter page seconds before he got arrested. That was ten hours ago, about 11:30 a.m eastern time.
According to Free Keene, who has been monitoring developments in the case since it broke, the men will be arraigned tomorrow.
Arrested were:
Adam Mueller – Disorderly Conduct and Disobeying an Officer
Pete Eyre – Possession of a Beer in a Dry County, Possession of Firearms Across a State Line
Jason Talley – Disorderly Conduct, Disobeying, and Resisting Arrest
I’m willing to bet the men were really arrested for “contempt of cop.”
Apparently Eyre had a gun which raised the possibilities of federal gun charges against him, but right now they are all being charged with misdemeanors.
The men are well-connected within the libertarian community and even interviewed Ron Paul last Sunday.
The Jones County Jail has referred to them as their “little celebrities” because they have received numerous phone calls on their behalf. To do your part, dial (601) 649-7502.
I just called and they confirmed that they were being held, but they told me I would need to call the Jones County Sheriff’s Office tomorrow during business hours for more information.
Jones County is named after John Paul Jones, the American naval officer during the Revolutionary War who when asked to surrender by a British captain, uttered the words, “I have not yet begun to fight.”
And, I suspect, neither have these three men.
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11 responses so far ↓
1 Mister DNA // May 14, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Radley Balko at The Agitator is covering the case, too. According to his updates, there are some weapons charges, too (state, not federal). One of the charges is “transporting a weapon across state lines”.
That must be a really popular crime during hunting season.
2 MB // May 14, 2009 at 10:58 PM
WOW !! I am a PJ in the neighboring county and actually live in Jones. Jones County SD are GREAT with media. I have never once had a problem with any of their deputy. Including being on a hot scene within of seconds of a shots fired incident.
They are pretty good when it comes to media law.
It will be intersting to see what comes of this.
Carlos email me if you need contacts here.
3 Duane Kerzic // May 14, 2009 at 11:19 PM
According to the jail as of 11:15pm May 14, 2009 they are bonded out now. Carlos you have to keep us updated on this one.
4 sickntired // May 14, 2009 at 11:19 PM
what was the reason for the cops to stop them in the first place
5 Carlos Miller // May 14, 2009 at 11:42 PM
They’ve been released and I’m trying to get them to call me now.
6 Jay R. // May 15, 2009 at 12:11 AM
There’s nothing illegal about crossing state lines with a firearm if you’re legally allowed to own one. As long as it wasn’t loaded/within reach/etc.
7 Michael Garcia // May 15, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Your the man Carlos. I figured that I would email you to let you know about another thuggish act by the police state but your already on top of it. Thanks for your blog.
8 Pinandpuller // May 15, 2009 at 1:08 AM
I knew you couldn’t buy in a dry county but I didn’t know you couldn’t possess. I think they are piling charges on these guys. I believe Tennessee used to watch people coming back from Kentucky to try and hassle anyone who was buying cigarrettes-the tax their was cheaper.
9 Carlos Miller // May 15, 2009 at 1:13 AM
Thanks Michael,
I would have had it up sooner but I was out all afternoon interviewing somebody for an article unrelated to this site.
10 Pete Eyre // May 28, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Carlos, just became aware of your blog thanks to a commenter on a recent post on our blog and wanted to say: Keep up the great work. Your help in shining a spotlight of accountability on those seeking to usurp our rights is much appreciated.
11 58ford // Jun 2, 2009 at 4:47 PM
For those of you unfamiliar with the traditions of Mississippi, screwing around in the “Free State of Jones”, can get you in deep doo doo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jones_County,_Mississippi
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