Posted on 08/15/2009 7:55:44 PM PDT by Born Conservative
A minister with Universal Life Church was arrested by state police at Pocono as a “John Doe” because he allegedly invoked his right to remain silent during a traffic stop for having a loud muffler.
Thomas Sweeney, a guitarist who plays in bands in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, was charged with endangering troopers during the stop Aug. 5 on the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Bear Creek Township.
Police allege Sweeney refused to lower his window during the traffic stop and had to be forcibly removed from his 1991 Saab, placing troopers in danger on the turnpike, according to arrest records.
Sean McGeehan, a former band mate, said there were rumors that Sweeney was involved in a car crash, and he was surprised to learn that Sweeney is jailed.
“Tom isn’t a violent man. He’s usually cool, calm and collected,” McGeehan said. “He’s always looking at the good.”
McGeehan said Sweeney has been a minister for Universal Life Church for several years. He said he believed Sweeney was ordained in California.
Although Sweeney’s age and address aren’t listed on arrest records, McGeehan said Sweeney is from Cherry Hill, N.J.
Sweeney was charged with recklessly endangering another person, causing catastrophe and five vehicle code violations. He was arraigned by Freeland District Judge Gerard Feissner, who jailed him at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $25,000 straight bail.
Sweeney remained jailed at the county prison on Friday under the name “John Doe.”
A day after Sweeney was jailed, he filed in county court a writ of habeas corpus, a 13-page petition claiming his arrest was unlawful and he is being detained illegally. He identified himself as a minister with Universal Life Church with a Dunmore post office address.
State police Sgt. Judith Holly-Storms, patrol commander of the Pocono barracks in White Haven, was unavailable to comment on Friday.
According to the criminal complaint:
Trooper Randal Hart stopped Sweeney because of loud engine noise from the muffler at about 2 p.m. Aug. 5.
Hart approached Sweeney and asked to see his driver’s license, registration and insurance cards. Sweeney refused to supply the information, instead, asking Hart to see his credentials.
Hart said he identified himself as a state police trooper several times to Sweeney. Sweeney told Hart he didn’t recognize Hart’s authority to stop him, and any information he gave Hart could be used against him in a criminal investigation.
Sweeney then invoked his right to remain silent, and demanded to be read his constitutional rights. Sweeney also told Hart to contact his supervisor.
Holly-Storms and two additional troopers assisted Hart. Sweeney refused to communicate with the troopers and ignored commands to lower the windows of the vehicle.
Holly-Storms gave the order to remove Sweeney from the vehicle.
Sweeney was treated at a Wilkes-Barre hospital for injuries he suffered when troopers removed him from his vehicle.
The criminal complaint doesn’t say what type of injuries Sweeney suffered.
A “minister”? Pfft- To be “ordained” as a Minister of the ULC, you just have to enter your name and email address at their website.
I am a ‘minister’ of Universal Life Church, LOL!
(Seriously, I am. I did it for the hell of it)
Is the ULC pro-life?
Not sure about pro-life, but they are pro-internet.
My whole EOD team got ordained on line by said Universal Life Church.
We were going to try an officate at one of our team members wedding when we came back to the states. We did it to mess with his bride to be more than anything. Lots of fun with our 15$ certificates from the ULC of Modesto CA !!
Keep the framed paper on my I love me wall at work these days to mess with coworkers ....:o)
Reverend Squantos thinks this Minister is papered in a like manner....
Few years ago I would have muttered damn hippy, and not gave it a second thought. But today, I say hey great lets trim the ears of government every chance we get. But if you do that kind of foolishness be prepared to take your beating. But, I think that any government powerful enough to right all wrongs is powerful enough to destroy all that is right. So de fund the police says I because they are the strong arm and instrument that is used to enforce the will of a corrupted legislative process and federalism run a muck.
Apparently his muffler gave up the right to remain silent....
Funny tag line.....:o)
“right to remain silent”......”loud muffler”. anyone see the silliness of this besides me?
I’d love to see a dashcam of this traffic stop.
“(Seriously, I am. I did it for the hell of it)”
Hey, me too, and my wife.
National Health Care: "STFU & Get Out of the Way...!"
Fitting.
The SOB drives a Saab.
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