Appling County District Attorney Keith Higgins has announced that Bruce Erbertlee Jackson, a 35-year-old resident of Baxley, GA, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in two counts of Felony Obstruction of an Officer with Violence. The verdict was reached by an Appling County jury on April 16, 2024.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, the incident occurred on April 3, 2021, when Investigator Stuart Boyer of the Baxley Police Department stopped Jackson's vehicle for multiple traffic violations. Jackson, who identified himself as "Ausar Tehuti El" and claimed to be a "Moor American," refused to cooperate with the officer's requests, citing his sovereign citizenship and asserting that he did not need a driver's license.
During the encounter, Jackson resisted officers' attempts to remove him from the vehicle, resulting in a physical altercation where he elbowed Investigator Boyer and pushed Sgt. James Robinson, causing injuries to both officers. Investigator Boyer's finger was fractured, leading to long-term damage, while Sgt. Robinson suffered back pain and was out of work for a week.
At the trial, Boyer and Robinson provided testimony of the incident, while Jackson, who represented himself, chose not to testify but maintained his innocence based on his beliefs about citizenship and legal obligations. Assistant District Attorney Hunter Smith emphasized the principle of equality under the law, stating that regardless of Jackson's claims, he was not exempt from accountability.
Following the jury's deliberation, Jackson was found guilty on both counts of Obstruction of an Officer with Violence. On April 17, 2024, Judge Stephen D. Kelley sentenced Jackson to 10 years in prison, with the first 5 years to be served in the Department of Corrections and the remaining time on probation. Additionally, Jackson was banned from the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, which includes Appling, Camden, Glynn, Jeff Davis, and Wayne Counties.
For further inquiries, the media has been directed to contact the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office at 912-554-7200.