Sovereign Citizen Gets Shut Down

On January 18, 2022, Las Cruces Police Officer Joshua Milks was working as the crisis intervention coordinator for the Las Cruces Police Department when he was dispatched to the city library at 200 East Picacho for a trespassing incident involving a sovereign citizen. Library manager Margaret Neill had called about a male, later identified as Steven Mackmiller, who was refusing to wear a face covering in the library. At the time, a governor’s order was in effect that required face coverings all businesses. New Mexico's mask mandate was lifted by the governor one month later, on February 17, 2022.

The following is from Officer Milks' report, lightly edited for clarity and brevity: when I arrived on scene, I could see Mackmiller, Neill and a security guard all standing by the library computers. Mackmiller stated that he just wanted to print out four pages of a document and complained that the staff was not allowing him to conduct his business. I explained to Mr. Mackmiller that he needed a face covering and he told me that he is an American “something” — that basically means he does not have to follow laws.

I dismissed his claim and felt that arguing the law with Mr. Mackmiller would be pointless. He was recording our interaction on a camera and seemed to have his 'sovereign speech' rehearsed, so I took a stern approach and asked Mackmiller to either put on a face covering or leave the library. He continuously refused to put on a face covering so I told him that he could either leave, or he would be arrested for trespassing. Mr. Mackmiller wanted a supervisor, but I wanted him out of the library. In case the confrontation turned physical, I wanted to be outside. Mr. Mackmiller stated that he felt “threatened." He then walked to the front door, and refused to continue. I identified Mackmiller and checked him for wants and warrants; I wanted to ensure I was completely done with him, before I made him leave the property.

During this process, Mackmiller requested a supervisor and I told him to go across the street. He refused, and wanted one on scene so I called Sergeant McCord over the radio to meet with us. I explained to Mackmiller that he would need to leave the property while waiting for a supervisor. I felt that Mackmiller was using the request for a supervisor to prolong his ability to be in the parking and to also test what kind of response he would get from me. Throughout the interaction, I felt that Mackmiller was testing me to see if he could bait me into a physical interaction with the intention of suing me, the city or the department. Each time I explained to Mackmiller that he would be arrested, he curbed his behavior. Mackmiller requested that I write a police report for this incident, so by policy I gave him a case number and documented this report.

I believe that Mackmiller got upset when he realized that I was not going to give him the response he wanted. Consequently, he walked off. Mackmiller told me that he would sue me and that I should wait to expect something in the mail. I waited as Mackmiller walked off before going inside to interview Ms. Neill. Neill said that MMackmiller refused to wear a face covering even after they offered him one, or several other suggestions on what he could wear as an approved covering.

In my conversation with Ms. Neill she also expressed the feeling that Mr. Mackmiller was just looking for a reaction that he could record and publish for whatever alternate motives he has.

I was out of trespass cards at the time, so I went back to the station to pick one up and give it to Ms. Neill. [End of report]

I have not been able to find any indication that Mr. Mackmiller sued anyone in relation to this incident. A search of PACER for "Steven Mackmiller" turned up only a 1999 bankruptcy filing by a "Steven Ross Mackmiller" — a different person.

~~~

/r/realworldpolice
@realworldpolice
@WhatYouHaventSeen

00:00 Intro
01:00 The incident
03:54 The Benzino argument
06:19 You're unwilling?
11:20 Thank you for the check!
14:58 Report

[scottyp]

“ I don’t follow US law or acknowledge it, but I will use the US court system to sue for money” these people are such a joke

[abikeanditsboy]

How is a Sovereign Citizen going to sue for his rights being violated? Wouldn't he have to use a legal system he doesn't believe in to do that?

[Smedsbacksgatan]

"You're not Rosa Parks, man!" I just love this calm, collected and intelligent police officer!

[professionaldogtrainer]

I am so sick of this Sovereign Citizen bull! These people want to avail themselves of all the advantages of society, but they don't want any of the responsibility associated with it. This officer deserves so much praise for the way he handled this.

[Noodles.FreeUkraine]

"You're not Rosa Parks, man."—Someone please hand that officer a medal. How he managed to handle that nutter without succumbing to the urge to taze him right in the face is beyond the powers of a mere mortal. 😂

[JobsNotMobs]

Life must suck when you gotta go to a public library with a camera just to get attention. It never ends well for these weirdos

[kyleferreira]

People who claim "I know my rights" rarely do.

[pauletteharris]

This is how these adult babies should be treated. This cop needs to be promoted, officer Milkes I’m sorry for the loss of your family members. Thank you for your amazing service 👏👏👏

[SkywalkerSamadhi]

This cops way of dealing with the situation is genius. Just agree with him. That guy looked so disappointed that the cop wouldn’t engage him. Just stole all the fun out of it. Those guys just love to hear the sound of their own voice.

[sww]

“I’m just a bad cop, I do bad investigations.” I kinda love this officer! 😂

[billleung]

This cop deserves the highest respect from the citizens he serves

[Jekku]

"I've lost 3 family members to COVID, I'm not the right person to argue that with", as someone in a similar boat, this cop said exactly what I have felt, thought, and said for 3 years. Massive respect.

Also, these SC's are clowns.

[pillowfightchampion]

“You’re not Rosa Parks, man” That cop was having none of it, and I loved every minute of it 🔥

[jacobbudke]

These people think they are so smart but cant seem to understand how a simple trespass works.

[willoelfke]

A sovereign citizen using a government building is so funny

[dazenguile]

“sounds like somebody needs to be schooled a little bit”

“well i’m glad you picked a library to have this argument”

lmaooo… super underrated joke—can’t believe there wasn’t a spontaneous laugh-track manifestation after that. i laughed out loud.

[Synoopy]

This sovereign citizen stuff is an exhausting way to live. Going through life always proving a point instead of living seems like work.

[Delatta]

The confused look on his face when he didn’t get the response he wanted was priceless

[reginajanelilianapatterson]

What funny is that he has his camera with him. He KNEW he'd be getting hassled for not wearing a mask and probably intended to stir the pot for publicity so that others grow this ridiculous movement.

[GoRicky]

This officers accent, his tone and the manner in which he speaks is so soothing and still conveys authority. I hope he's doing well and has advanced in his career.