Three in custody after deputies search home

JOHNSVILLE – Three people who authorities believe have affiliation with the Sovereign Citizen movement are in custody after Morrow County Sheriff's deputies searched a home on Ohio 314, south of Steam Corners Road.

Mace and gas were used to get one person out of the house. Two more arrived at the scene and were taken into custody, Sheriff Steven R. Brenneman said this morning.

The Franklin County bomb squad was on the scene as a precautionary measure, he said.

Neighbors have been reporting people in the house and on the property who weren't supposed to be here. The home owner was contacted and confirmed the house should be empty, Brenneman said, so his office obtained a search warrant to investigate.

He said this morning's investigation went peacefully.

"We wanted to be prepared for whatever," he said. "We did not know what we might face."

A Canadian flag was flying on the flag pole outside the home.

Arrested was Jeffrey Miller, 51, of Mansfield, Michael Plaster, 48, of Galion, and Richard Sterling, 39, of Mansfield, according to the sheriff. All three men were charged with felony theft, burglary and breaking and entering.

Prior intelligence on the residence led investigators to believe that the three men may have affiliation with the Sovereign Citizen movement. The execution of the search warrant confirmed this, Brenneman said, as Sovereign Citizen flags, literature and propaganda were found inside the house.

Sovereign Ctizens generally believe in common law and hold the belief that they are not subject to any federal, state or municipal statutes.

There were no injuries reported as a result of the search warrant and arrests, Brenneman said.

All three men are being held in the Morrow County Correctional Facility. Miller is being held on a $50,000 bond while Plaster and Sterling each have $25,000 bonds.

Three dogs and numerous cats were removed from the residence. Brenneman said he wished to thank the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Franklin County Bomb Squad, Morrow County EMA and EMS, Troy Township Fire Department, Morrow County Dog Warden and the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their assistance.

The Morrow County Auditor's Office website lists the property owner as Carole M. Kowatch, 8725 Ohio 314, Troy Township.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol blocked off Ohio 314 Tuesday morning while the raid was being conducted.