Youngstown woman claiming to be ‘sovereign citizen’ settles animals cases

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Youngstown woman who claimed to be a “sovereign citizen” settled several of her cases in Youngstown Municipal Court dealing with her refusal to register and restrain her dogs.

Carmen Norris pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to confine or restrain dogs and was sentenced to 12 months of probation as well as to pay fines. She was also barred from owning or harboring dogs during her period of probation, according to a court employee.

As part of her plea, the other cases against her were dismissed.

Mahoning County Deputy Dog Warden Sarah Csepeggi told WKBN that their office frequently receives calls about Norris’s dogs running loose. Authorities said the dogs were chasing postal workers so much so that they stopped delivering mail to her house.

Deputies say Norris claims to be a “sovereign citizen” and doesn’t have to follow laws dealing with registering her animals.

A sovereign citizen is one who claims to be part of a movement that opposes taxation, questions the legitimacy of government and believes they are not subject to the law.

Gerry Ricciutti contributed to this report.

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