Self-proclaimed sovereign citizen, Tabitha Gentry could face more than 30 years in prison for squatting in a million dollar mansion
Tabitha Gentry, who was already facing a 14-year sentence for assaulting police officers in 2012, is now looking at 20 more years of jail time. Last Wednesday, the judge added 20 more years for aggravated burglary and over $250,000 in theft. Residing in a Shady Grove mansion that had been foreclosed, Gentry identifies as a Moorish National and therefore does not recognize Tennessee law or consider herself subject to taxes or other federal mandates. Although she was not a biological relative of the former owners, Gentry filed a transfer of inheritance with the Shelby County, Tennessee Register of Deeds in 2013 for the foreclosed property. Shelby County attempted to evict Gentry, but she refused to cooperate resulting in a dispute. After Gentry was charged for each crime individually resulting in a total of 34 years, her lawyer Claiborne Ferguson, said, “The state legislators have said concurrent is the appropriate sentence, and the court is bound by what the legislators tell them to do.” If Ferguson is successful in appealing the sentence, the new trial will likely be held mid July.
-Nishat Baig
