Red Oak man sentenced to 20 years for Assault on a Public Servant

Submitted photo.

Harvey Leelane Searcy, 30, of Red Oak was sentenced to 20 years in jail on October 19, 2015 for Assault on a Public Servant.

ELLIS COUNTY — An Ellis County jury deliberated into the late night hours on Thursday, October 15, before returning on Friday and finding Harvey Leelane Searcy, 30, of Red Oak guilty of Assault on a Public Servant.

On October 19, 2015, punishment evidence was presented to Judge Bob Carroll of the 40th District Court, who sentenced Mr. Searcy to the maximum 20 years imprisonment. Because he has a prior federal felony conviction for counterfeiting, Searcy faced a possible punishment range of 2-20 years in prison.

Mr. Searcy chose to represent himself during trial, declining the representation of an attorney the Court designated to assist him as stand-by counsel.

On May 21, 2014, Ellis County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to execute two arrest warrants on Mr. Searcy as he drove out of his neighborhood. Mr. Searcy refused to stop for the deputies. He continued driving approximately a half of a mile before turning into an elementary school during peak drop-off time. As a deputy attempted to arrest him, Searcy slammed the deputy’s hand in the car door, causing injuries. Mr. Searcy then barricaded himself in the car, forcing the school to go on lockdown. After a 20 minute stand-off, deputies broke the driver side window of the vehicle and placed Searcy under arrest.

Mr. Searcy stressed his intent to appeal his case. Throughout his trial Searcy claimed that the Ellis County District Court lacked jurisdiction over him as a “natural person,” a belief shared by followers of a movement commonly referred to as “Sovereign Citizens.” Mr. Searcy claimed he was not subject to the laws and jurisdictions of this Court because he did not consent to the contract that formed our government.