A St. Joseph man who claimed he was exempt from Missouri law because he is a “sovereign citizen” was found guilty Tuesday of assaulting a police officer. Marcus Paden, 28, was found guilty after a bench trial before Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg, who scheduled sentencing January 5.
Paden was charged after a traffic stop last May near Gene Field Road and Ashmat Lane in which he refused to identify himself, refused to get out of his car or otherwise cooperate with officers.
As we reported earlier, Officer Steve Smith suffered severe injuries as he was pulling Paden out of the vehicle. Officials say Smith was hit in the head and hands multiple times before another officer used a Taser to subdue the suspect. Smith suffered multiple injuries, including a concussion, and continues to suffer from short-term memory loss.
Paden offered many reasons why he should not be tried in the case. In September, Paden told a marshal he “refused to come to court on a punk-a** ticket,” according to online court records. He told authorities he should be tried under maritime law and not Missouri law, and at one point objected to the fringe on the American flag.
A judge ordered a competency examination in the initial stages of the court proceedings. Associate Judge Keith Marquart ruled that that Paden was unable to understand the charge against him and assist in his own defense. After an examination, officials at the Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center said Paden was competent for trial.
On Tuesday, Judge Kellogg found Paden guilty of a class-c felony count of assault of a law enforcement officer and a misdemeanor charge of speeding. The felony charge carries a range of sentences from one day to one year in the county jail or from two to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections plus a fine of up to $5,000.
