Civil rights violation?

Libertarian Party members accusing deputies following I-59 traffic stop

By Charlotte A. Graham, countyreporter@laurelleadercall.com

Members of the Libertarian Party are accusing Jones County Sheriff Department deputies of violating the civil rights of three men arrested in Laurel on May 14.

According to Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge, Peter Eyre and Jason Talley of New Hampshire and Adam Mueller of Laurel were arrested during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 59. He said deputies gave the suspects numerous opportunities to identify themselves, but they refused to do so.

Uncertain of who or what they were dealing with, Hodge said deputies arrested the suspects and subsequent investigation revealed the individuals had an agenda which included not complying with orders given by authorities. They were discovered to be motorhomediaries.com activists.

The motorhomediaries.com Web site defines the motor home diaries as “the story of three friends who took to the road in April 2009 to search for freedom in America.” Their objective, as stated on the Web site, is to “interact with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints at college campuses, homes, businesses and organizations that are united by one thing: Increasing individual freedom and responsibility and decreasing the scope of government.”

While Eyre and Talley are listed as two of the friends, Mueller is not named as the third friend. Nevertheless, to achieve their goals, the friends travel in a 30-foot used motor home affectionately dubbed M.A.R.V. (Mobile Authority Response Vehicle). The men were traveling in the motor home when they were arrested.

“We have a job to do and we will do it,” explained Hodge. “We are not here to promote or condemn anyone’s agenda.

“Our job is to provide protection and service to our citizens. When our deputy was confronted with these men who refused to identify themselves; he had no idea what their plans were.”

Eyre, 28, was arrested for possession of beer in a dry county and an unknown offense; Mueller, 26, was arrested for disorderly conduct and disobeying a police officer; and Talley, 34, was arrested for disorderly conduct, disobeying a police officer, and resisting arrest. All three suspects were transported to the Jones County Adult Detention Center.

“I am proud of our deputies handling of this traffic stop,” said Hodge. “I have demonstrated my willingness to admit when we are wrong. However, in this case, they handled themselves in a proper and professional manner.”

While several emails and calls have been sent to the Laurel Leader-Call voicing complaints about the sheriff department’s handling of the arrests, attempts to reach Danny Bedwell, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Mississippi, were unsuccessful Monday.

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