By John Howell Sr.

District 2 Supervisor Vernice Avant in a guest commentary published on page A5 states that she became the victim of a scam when an acquaintance who “claimed to be a member of a non-violent, sovereign citizens group” convinced her that by filing “sovereign citizen” documents, she would gain asset and other protection.

Avant had filed a document styled “Affidavit of Truth” in December, 2010; a “Commercial Security Agreement” in January, 2011, and a “Deed of Secondary Conveyance …” the following month.

Language in the February document which included a statement that she was “not a United States Citizen …” set off a flurry of criticism, especially by readers making online comments on The Panolian Web site, www.panolian.com. That Avant’s “sovereign citizen” filings coincided with revelations by West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert about the investigation into the killing of two officers in his department, including his 39-year-old son, fueled the criticism. The two officers died in a hail of gunfire when they tried to stop two men who were self-professed members of the sovereign citizens movement. Paudert linked killers to the violent sovereign citizens movement that orginated with the Posse Comitatus in the 1970s.

In a story about Avant’s sovereign citizen filings published March 28, she distanced herself from the sovereign citizen movement that is connected with violence.

“Mine is just paperwork protection; it has nothing to do with being violent,” she said.

In today’s commentary, the supervisor states that she has since learned “… this group — the Sovereign Citizen Movement — has no authority and scams innocent people out of their hard-earned money.” She states that her dealings with them cost her $2,000.

“After discussing this with my family, I decided the right thing to do was to share all the information I had with the hope of spaing others the pain I have been caused,” Avant states in the commentary. She has contacted the Mississippi Attorney General to share her knowledge about the scam, Avant states.

“If you are approached by anyone promising you ‘big savings’ or ‘unlimited protection of your assets,’ please contact an attorney or the Mississippi Attorney General’s office,’” Avant added.