Man With Loaded Firearm Arrested Near Turkey Creek Middle School

A self-proclaimed "sovereign citizen" was arrested on school grounds in Plant City, after the suspect, Bruce Charmers Hicks, 46, strolled by Turkey Creek Middle School on May 16 with a "small firearm holstered on his left hip," according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Hicks, a resident of Plant City, at 5004 Calhoun Road, reportedly now faces charges of possession of a firearm on school property, felon in possession of a firearm and the open carrying of a firearm. It was reported that he had an extensive crimial history, including lewd or lascivious molestation of victims under age 18.

For Hicks, bad turned to worse this week after he was spotted by the school's resource deputy, Patrick Diaz, who was with the school's principal, Dennis Mayo, monitoring students released to parents in the parent pick-up line, at 5005 South Turkey Creek Road.

Connell Road is next to the school, and that's where Hicks was seen pushing what was described as a "dolly" with an "old, plastic toy car attached." After the deputy spotted what appeared to be the small firearm, he called out to Diaz, "who turned around, stepping on the grass of the school's property."

"Upon initial contact with Hicks, he stated there was a $250 fine for every
fifteen minutes of unlawful detention," according to the report. "He stated that he is a sovereign citizen and is not subject to the laws of the United States or Hillsborough County. Deputy Diaz asked him if he was carrying a firearm and Hicks stated that he was and repeated that he was not subject to laws."

The deputy's take was different, which is why he seized the 32-caliber handgun, with "two live cartridges in the barrels," and had Hicks transported off to jail, which occurred without incident, according to the report.