Standoff suspect calls News 4 during police standoff, claims citizenship of "Ladonia"
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A man is locked up after a standoff with the Oklahoma City police, during which he called News 4 to tell us there was a misunderstanding.
He claimed police didn't have authority over him because he claimed both his home and himself were part of a micro-nation called 'Ladonia.'
"This is a micro nation, it's not, it's not Oklahoma, this property," said DeAngelo Sherfield.
According to Ladonia.org, the micro-nation is about 1.5 square miles in southern Sweden. It's a real place, but no one lives there, and you can't get there by car.
Ladonia was proclaimed as a "micro-nation" in 1996, after an artist fought local authorities over two sculptures he made on a nature reserve, which was not allowed.
Citizenship is free with a simple application online or you can become a noble by paying $30.
"I am noble from the foreign country of Ladonia," Sherfield told News 4.
However, the terms and conditions note, "Ladonian citizenship confers no benefits" and that "Citizenship in Ladonia is symbolic."
Sherfield called News 4 on Monday while police were outside his home near Hefner and Rockwell.
"They have my house on the news right now," Sherfield said.
Officers said the situation started as a property dispute, where Sherfield allegedly threatened someone.
"He said he was going to kill me. So he chased me," Sherfield told News 4.
Police said they eventually caught up with Sherfield, turned on their lights, and followed his car.
"The guy doesn't pull over," said Capt. Benjamin Weir with OKCPD.
Instead, the 46-year-old drove home and wouldn't come out. That's when officers found out about Sherfield's past.
"He's actually a fugitive out of Logan County. He's wanted for possession of a firearm after a former conviction. He's got some sovereign citizen-type tendencies," said Captain Benjamin Weir.
According to court documents, Guthrie police pulled over Sherfield in March for speeding.
Officers said there was an apparent invalid printed tag on his car that stated the words; "Right to travel," "PRIVATE," and "Nation of Ladonia."
It also did not have a month, date, state or tribe listed, and was "made of plastic which was warping on the left side."
During the traffic stop, Guthrie police asked for Sherfield's ID. He produced a "Nation of Ladonia" laminated card which was not sealed well and cut unevenly with his photo and name, "Noble DeAngelo Sherfieldgood."
Officers said they also found a gun in his car that Sherfield didn't tell them about, after refusing to get out of the car. Police proceeded to taser then arrest him.
Fast forward to the standoff, Sherfield told News 4 the situation was out of local law enforcement jurisdiction.
"So, we need someone with foreign affairs to come mediate the situation," said Sherfield.
On Monday, Sherfield ended up back behind bars once again.