Jackson Jambalaya

A Sovereign Citizen found out the hard way he is not sovereign in Madison, Mississippi or the Barham Province as he called it.  

Thomas Barham was be-bopping down Madison Avenue in his green Ford Focus in May 2025 when Madison Police Officer Cole McGinnis clocked him doing 50 mph in a 35 mph zone.  Officer McGinnis promptly pulled him over and then the fun began The police report states: 

 

 On May 29, 2025 at approximately 3:34 PM, I, Officer Cole McGinnis (582) was patrolling eastbound on Madison Avenue near Grandview Boulevard when I observed a green passenger car (Ford Focus bearing Mississippi Tag# MCR924) traveling 50 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour posted zone headed westbound....

At that time, Officer McGinnis conducted a passenger side approach and made contact with a white male driver. Officer McGinnis immediately asked for driver license and proof of liability insurance. The driver immediately took out his cell phone and started recording me. The driver responded aggressively why do you need my license? Officer McGinnis then asked the driver for did he have a driver's license and and proof of insurance twice, the driver replied i don't have to give you my license. Officer McGinnis went to the driver's side door and noticed the driver reaching Into his center console. I placed my hand on my weapon and asked the driver numerous times to stop reaching three (3), into his center console. While stating he didn't have to give me his identification , I asked dispatch to send me another unit due to Barham failing to comply.

I asked the driver to exit the vehicle and he replied no. Driver refused to exit his vehicle by stating I don't have to get out. By that time multiple units started arriving on scene and we began to help driver out of his vehicle by opening his door, unbuckling his seatbelt, pulling him out the car, and placing on the rear of his vehicle (trunk).

As Officer Randolph was attempting to place the driver into custody, the driver began pulling his arms away attempting to prevent arrest. While pulling away, Officer McGinnis was able to gain control of driver arm with the help of assisting officers that were on scene. After Custody, Officer McGinnis was able to obtain a passport and social identifying the driver as Mr. Thomas Brett Barham.

Mr. Barham was placed into the rear of marked Madison Police Department unit 2315# police vehicle, handcuffed to the rear, double locked and transported to the Madison Police Department for booking purposes.Once at the police department Barham started begging and pleading for forgiveness stating that he was going through a bad break up. Barham was charged with speeding 11-15 over, disorderly conduct-disobeying a police officer, resisting arrest, and expired drivers license. Mr. Barham was ultimately transported to the Madison County Detention Center where he will be able to bond out.

 Barham being a Sovereign Citizen, the foolishness continued.  He filed a motion to vacate judgment in August 2025 and signed it as such: 

 

Barham claimed he was kidnapped and held for ransom at the Madison County Detention Center.  He stated a fraud was committed upon the Court since it did not have his informed consent to jurisdiction. The defendant filed an affidavit that included his transcript of the video of his arrest. The affidavit claimed he had the right to travel, quoting Kent v. Dulles (p.7): "The right to travel is part of the liberty of which the citizen cannot be deprived of without due process of law.."  Thus the traffic stop violated his right to travel.  

The defendant filed a "12 Presumptions of Law" filled with more nonsensical mumbo jumbo (p.9) such as this:   

10) The Uniform Commercial Code 3-402 is void. Article 2 Section 4 of the constitution for the United States authorizes that all government Civil Officers be removed from office for crimes against the people. The UCC and the constitution are in conflict and therefore the UCC, which is not law, is void because of the Supremacy Clause which states: "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding." The unconstitutional "magic signature" of U.C.C. 3-402 does not protect Judges and clerks.

Right.  Barham makes a rather humorous argument about lawyers and judges: 

21) For our purposes here, all members of the private BAR guild who have sworn a solemn and secret absolute oath to the guild, then act as public agents of the government or public officials by making additional oaths of puto the guild and unless openly rebuked and rejected the claim stands that these private BAR guild members are legitimate public servants and therefore trustees under the public oath. I blic office that openly and deliberately contradict their private superior oath. 

 The resident of the Barham Province also filed a claim of non-corporate status (p.21). You can't make this up.  The Barham Estate (p.41) even blessed the Court with a "Notice of Intent - Fee Schedule" that included fees such as 

Compulsion to provide driver's license number: $50,000

 Time usage for court appearances: $33,500

Trespass on American homestead land: $10,000,000.  

Barham claimed damages of over $22 million.  Again, you can't make this up. 

 The Madison Municipal Clerk sent notices of the August 20, 2026 hearing to Barham and even called the defendant to ensure he was aware of his court date but it was all for naught. When August 20 rolled around, Thomas Barham was nowhere to be found in the courtroom.   

Madison Municipal Court Judge James Streetman said since this was the second time Barham failed to appear at a hearing, he would try the defendant in absentia.  

Judge Streetman denied all motions filed by Barham.  Madison prosecutor John Hedglin called Officer Collins to the stand.  Collins repeated what was stated above in the police report.  He added Barham resisted being handcuff so much the officers had to use to pairs of handcuffs to restrain him.   

In the end, Judge Streetman sentenced Barham to serve 30 days in jail for disorderly conduct and another 30 days in jail for resisting arrest.  Although he ordered the sentences be served consecutively, the judge suspended the sentences.  The Court fined Barham $173 for speeding and $350 for driving with an expired driver's license.  

If Barham doe not pay the fines by October 8, a warrant will be issued for his arrest.   

The arrest warrant will be valid in the Barham Province.  

 

 

A transcript of the hearing is posted below. Posted below are the police reports, Barham's filings, and notices.  

 

 

 

  

Transcript 

Court Clerk: Mr. Bartell was notified on June 24th when he first did not appear in court. He was notified via phone and also via text, one through to his employer's personal—well, work phone—advising him of his court date. And also was sent letters to his residence and to his PO box address. I also spoke to him on the phone confirming his court date for Wednesday, and he acknowledged that he'll be here.

Judge: And when did you talk to him?

Court Clerk: I spoke to him on—I spoke to him on July 13th at 9:28 a.m.

Judge: And did you tell him we're going to have trial at 1:30 on August the 20th?

Court Clerk: Yes, sir.

Judge: Okay. And he acknowledged that then?

Court Clerk: Yes, sir.

Judge: Have we heard anything from him since then?

Court Clerk: No, sir.

Judge: Okay.

Prosecutor: And I will, you know, ask for the record to reflect that fact, that we have now waited 20 minutes past the time that he's supposed to be here.

Judge: It is. I actually had got, we may be about 20... 25. (chuckles) All right.

Judge: And I'd also like to ask right away that our officer check the hallway and make sure that there were—we're not missing somebody in the hall in this fashion.

(Pause while officer checks the hallway)

Judge: If there's nobody in the hallway, the defendant has filed a manifold play of varied, rather voluminous motions and other matters before the court, seeking various relief from the court regarding this case. And the court is going to deny all the relief sought by those pleadings. I would, however, like to make all of the—that package of pleadings that we received a part of the—of this record, and you can note it as posit A. And Mr. Pace, would you

Prosecutor: Mark for the record.

Judge: A composite. All right.

Prosecutor: And as long as we're making things of the record, let's go ahead and put a copy of the letter that was sent advising him of his court date, in addition to the other notifications, of course, with that being...

Judge: And I want to make clear, have we heard anything today, subject matter being why, traffic problems, illnesses, family trouble, anything? Have you heard if anybody heard anything today?

Court Clerk: No, sir.

Judge: Okay.

Prosecutor: All right. All right. Based on all that, we would like to proceed in absentia. All right. Call Officer McGinnis.

(Officer enters courtroom)

Judge: Raise your right hand, please. Do you solemnly swear the testimony you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Officer Cole McGinnis: I do.

Judge: Okay. Have a seat right there, please, and speak up.

Prosecutor: Tell the court your name, please.

Officer Cole McGinnis: Cole McGinnis.

Prosecutor: Who do you work for?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Madison Police Department.

Prosecutor: How long have you—and in what capacity?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Police officer.

Prosecutor: How long have you been a police officer with the City of Madison?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Roughly four and a half years.

Prosecutor: All right. Were you on duty on May 29th of 2025 at approximately 3:45 p.m.?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir, I was.

Prosecutor: Can you tell the court what, if anything, happened at that date and time?

Officer Cole McGinnis: At the time I was traveling east in my marked patrol unit 2212, and I noticed a green vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed—50 miles an hour in a 35 mile per hour speed zone. I initiated my emergency blue lights and sirens to attempt to stop the vehicle.

Prosecutor: Was the speed limit of 35 posted?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir.

Prosecutor: And how did you determine the speed?

Officer Cole McGinnis: By my radar unit mounted in the vehicle.

Prosecutor: How often, at that point, were you checking the calibration of your radar?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Before each shift, throughout the shift, and at the end of the shift.

Prosecutor: And on that date, did the check indicate that the radar was, in fact, properly calibrated?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir.

Prosecutor: All right. I'm sorry I interrupted. Go ahead.

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir. I was able to get the vehicle pulled over at the Madison Avenue and Main Street bridge, westbound.

Prosecutor: All right. What did you do when the vehicle pulled over?

Officer Cole McGinnis: I made a passenger-side approach and asked the driver for his driver's license and proof of insurance.

Prosecutor: What was the driver's response?

Officer Cole McGinnis: He did not have—provide me with insurance. He did not provide me with his license and insurance, and that he was a traveler.

Prosecutor: Did the driver indicate why he would not provide you with his driver's license?

Officer Cole McGinnis: No, sir, he did not give any indication.

Prosecutor: Was the driver cooperative in following your instructions?

Officer Cole McGinnis: No, sir, he was not cooperative.

Prosecutor: Would you describe what you mean by that?

Officer Cole McGinnis: I asked him repeatedly three times for his driver's license and proof of insurance. He advised he did not have to give it to me. Therefore, I went to the driver's side and asked him to exit the vehicle. He said no. I asked dispatch to send me an additional unit due to him failing to comply. And once Officer Wants—backup arrived—we assisted Mr. Bartell out of the vehicle.

Prosecutor: All right. And I should have asked this earlier: Were you in uniform at that time?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir. Full uniform.

Prosecutor: When you pulled him over, was you driving a marked police vehicle?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir. Unit 2212.

Prosecutor: And you had emergency lights turned on?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir. Yes, sir, emergency blue lights.

(Prosecutor looks down at desk and prepares next questions)

Prosecutor: And all this happened in the City of Madison?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Correct.

Prosecutor: All right. Were you ever able to identify the driver?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir.

Prosecutor: How did you do that?

Officer Cole McGinnis: We identified him once we got him down to the station and got his information. He was identified as Thomas Bartell.

Prosecutor: Okay.

(Prosecutor reviews notes)

Prosecutor: Now, in addition to speeding and driving without a driver's license, you also charged him with a couple of other offenses: disorderly conduct. Can you describe what was the basis for that charge?

Officer Cole McGinnis: The basis for that charge was him refusing to get out—him refusing to get out of the car and being very aggressive with our officers.

Prosecutor: All right. And again, you were in uniform, you made a request and directed him to get out of the car?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir.

Prosecutor: And he refused to do it?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir.

Prosecutor: You also charged him with resisting arrest?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir.

Prosecutor: In addition to what you've already described, what was the basis for the resisting arrest charge?

Officer Cole McGinnis: We tried to put handcuffs on him, and he was not placing his arm behind his back. When he did, he kept resisting, trying to push his arm back in front of him.

Prosecutor: Physical resistance?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Yes, sir, physical resistance.

Prosecutor: I've looked at a video. You didn't just have standard two hands in a single cuff. You actually used two cuffs together, which ordinarily makes the process more comfortable for the person being arrested, correct?

Officer Cole McGinnis: Correct.

(Prosecutor checks through case files)

Prosecutor: That's all we have for this witness.

Judge: Thank you, Officer.

Judge: Now, I don't have to hear the whole thing. I don't have to hear the whole thing. Okay.

Prosecutor: I would remind the court that traffic violations are, in fact, misdemeanors under state law. Although the usual procedure is on civil traffic offenses to file citation and release, the state statute specifically state that is not the exclusive procedure that you can, under appropriate circumstances, take somebody into custody on the basis of traffic violation. In addition to which, by the time Officer McGinnis came, a Terry detention stop was also appropriate. So based on that, we would ask the court to find the defendant guilty of all charges.

Judge: I'm going to take the two traffic tickets first. The police officer said that he had an excessive excessive speed. Went through all of the what he did in regard to the traffic stop on the speeding. I find him guilty of speeding.. And then, it's my understanding that that point that it has been determined he has not a valid Mississippi driver's license. Correct. And in actual pleadings that were filed by him, he brought out some things that we've seen before with regard to—I believe that the officer alluded to that he was a traveler. And I'm not going to go into all of that. I find simply that would anybody else, he doesn't have a valid driver's license, I find him guilty of that. Police officers testified in regard to his disorderly conduct, and the prosecutor has indicated he has seen the video, which regarded that. And I know this prosecutor would not come forward with any kind of emphasizing. So just based on the testimony of the police officer, although I've really had the fact, I find him guilty of disorderly conduct. And also based on the testimony of the police officer that the—he resisted arrest in the manner which was testified by the police officer. That being the case, I find him guilty on all four of the charges. I will assess the normal monetary fence amounts for the four charges, whatever they may be written.

Judge: Normally on disorderly and resisting arrest we might be looking at some jail time, some suspended time, but...

Prosecutor: City's not inclined to try to punish the defendant far outside the usual parameters, but...

Judge: Okay. I'm not going to—on the resisting arrest and the disorderly conduct, is the city asking for any suspended time? In other words, considered suspended?

Prosecutor: The city would ask for 30 days on each charge, to be served consecutively, but suspended on condition of good behavior.

Judge: Okay. Well, that's what I will do. On the disorder—in addition to the monetary fines, 30 days of each one of these, to be served—I'm going to I'm going to have it run concurrently, rather than consecutively, and we're going to suspend that time. I think that's more in line with what with our normal procedures in our history here. Any of Anything further in regard to Mr. Barham?

Prosecutor: No, that is all. Thank you.