CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga.,None — Investigators said Cleveland David Hall II tried to convince a Clayton County police officer that he didn't have to follow any Georgia laws, because he is a sovereign citizen. Now Hall is a citizen of the Clayton County jail.
The officer pulled over Hall's Chevy Avalanche in a traffic stop for speeding, but found he had no current tag, registration or insurance.
"It's very dangerous, because if someone feels they're above the rules or laws and don't have to follow the laws, it makes it very difficult for those of us who have to enforce the law," said Lt. Tina Daniel.
A search of Hall's truck found $108,000 hidden under the cup holders, police said. Then officers located several envelopes containing 12 fake surety bonds.
"Basically, it's the U.S. government guaranteeing that this particular money is in the bank," said Daniel, who showed Channel 2 Action News investigative reporter Jodie Fleischer one of the fraudulent documents allegedly worth $100 billion.
The monetary total for all 12 fake bonds was $302.7 billion, police said.
"Usually, when you have this type of document, it's used to purchase homes, very expensive boats and large-ticket items. So it's kind of obvious what was going to be done with it," added Daniel.
Investigators believe Hall was planning to use the documents to attempt to steal houses, just as a Channel 2 Action News investigation has exposed in neighboring counties.
In July, DeKalb police arrested several sovereign citizens as part of a racketeering case with a total of 10 suspects. They're accused of stealing bank-owned homes by deeding the properties to themselves.
Just last week, Rockdale County detectives arrested a Stone Mountain couple, accused of using fake promissory notes to try to convince officers their mortgage was paid off. The bank foreclosed anyway.
Clayton County detectives are investigating whether Hall has a link to any other sovereign citizens operating in the area, and what he might have intended to do with those surety bonds. They say he could face additional charges.
WSBTV
