Fugitive from Florida Held on $1 Million Bond

A fugitive from Florida is being held on $1 million bond after rambling through his court appearance on Wednesday.

Brody James Whitaker, 37, is accused of firing at two state troopers in Florida police last week during a chase in Sumter County. The officers were not hurt, but Whitaker escaped.

"For the record, I hereby challenge this court's jurisdiction as a sovereign. I am not an American citizen,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker faced a judge inside Bantam Superior Court spoke for two minutes, challenging his criminal record among other things.

"I was informed this morning that you were gonna put felony charges against me if I didn't sign a piece of paper,” he said. “I am a sovereign. I am not an American citizen. I have no oath to this country and to enforce this tyranny against me I have a right to redress that grievance."

Authorities said Whitaker has a criminal history in several states, including Michigan, Virginia, Florida, Ohio and California."

Four others were also arrested: Yvonne Clark, Stefana DeLessio, Jason Collins and his father Francis Collins. All will be back in court later this month.

Whitaker's final request to the judge was access to a law library while he's locked up.

He will be sent back to Florida to face charges there at some point in the future.

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