A New Mexico man claiming he is "under the republic and not under public policy" was arrested following a brief chase and faces several felony and misdemeanor charges.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Doug Halls said he stopped David Elliott Castle, 53, an Albuquerque gold and silver trader, for doing 68 mph in a 55-mph zone about 20 miles north of Monticello Monday.Castle reportedly said he has no driver's license and that a warrant for a failure to appear on an earlier traffic charge was unlawful.
When Castle said he had a gun in his pocket, Halls went back to his patrol car to call for backup.
Castle drove off with Halls in pursuit. With the help of San Juan County deputy sheriffs, Castle was stopped and arrested.
County Attorney Craig Halls charged him with failure to stop for a law officer, resisting arrest, speeding, escaping a law officer, no driver's license and carrying a concealed weapon.
Officers confiscated the weapon and said his 1994 car also is subject to forfeiture.
Bond on the outstanding warrant was set at $175 and on the new charges at $7,000. Castle posted it and was released.
Castle said he is a member of a constitution discussion group in Albuquerque called Wake Up America.
"I have changed my standing in law by publishing a declaration that I am the constitution, I am under the republic and not under public policy," he said. "I have severed my ties with the unincorporated United States and the public trust."