‘Sovereign citizen’ puts officer in headlock during traffic stop
DRUMS – A “sovereign citizen” with a gun is facing charges after police say he put an officer in a headlock during a traffic stop and attempted to disarm him.
Butler Township (Luzerne County) Police say this incident happened around 1pm Thursday on North Hunter Highway in the township north of Hazleton.
Officers said Eliezer Diaz, Jr., 34, of Wapwallopen, was seen riding a motorcycle without a license plate on North Hunter Highway and police pulled him over on East Butler Drive near Drasher Road.
When asked for his license, he refused, as police said he “began reciting rhetoric consistent with that of a sovereign citizen,” or someone who believes they are not subject to the law.
The officer who stopped Diaz attempted to detain him and a fight ensued in which Diaz placed the officer in a headlock and grabbed at his firearm. The officer was able to escape the headlock and keep his firearm.
Multiple witnesses called the Luzerne County Communications Center to request assistance for the officer, who had already requested backup, and assistance came from Freeland, Hazleton, Conyngham, Sugarloaf Township, State Police, the Luzerne County Detectives, and a federal agency which township police did not name.
Diaz had a loaded .45 caliber handgun when he was taken into custody.
Police said an assisting officer was injured in the scuffle.
Diaz is facing charges of felony aggravated assault on police officers, attempted disarming a law enforcement officer, among other charges.
He was arraigned, denied bail, and committed to Luzerne County Prison.
About Author
