‘Sovereign Citizen’ Arrested at Florida Walmart Following Disturbance 

A Florida man who allegedly claimed he had renounced his U.S. citizenship was arrested after police say he caused a disturbance inside a Walmart and refused to leave.

Eddie Rodriguez, 34, was arrested on June 4 on a trespassing charge after officers were called to a Walmart in Fort Pierce, according to an arrest affidavit.

Police said officers arrived at the store around 9:14 p.m. after Rodriguez allegedly became upset because he believed he was being followed by a Walmart loss prevention employee.

The employee told police he was simply doing his normal walks on the sales floor when the situation escalated, according to the affidavit.

Rodriguez, who police identified as homeless, allegedly made threats toward the employee and was believed to be armed with a weapon. However, officers did not recover any weapon when they arrested him.

The Walmart employee declined to press charges over the alleged threats, according to the affidavit.

Police said Rodriguez refused to leave the property after being asked to do so. He was taken into custody and transported to the St. Lucie County Jail.

Authorities described Rodriguez as a “sovereign citizen,” a term often used for people who claim they are not subject to certain government laws or authority.

The incident ended without any reported injuries, but police said Rodriguez was arrested after refusing to leave the store property.