Sounds like a “Republic of Texas” bunch we had down here in west Texas a few years ago. Ended up an armed standoff with an old armored personel carrier the local sheriff had along with state patrol folks. A couple escaped into the rugged hills but I think one was caught and another died from exposure. Others either surrendered or were captured.
Would file liens on strangers property, did not pay taxes, had all types of weapons including full automatics and had all kinds of paperwork and stuff declaring independence from Texas.