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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Traffic Stop Leads To Confrontation Constitutionalists Brandish Firearms After Woman Pulled Over For Expired License Plates

Associated Press

A traffic stop Sunday led to an armed confrontation between authorities and Ravalli County constitutionalists, the town marshal said.

The situation ended without incident after law enforcement officials decided not to arrest a woman for driving a vehicle with expired license plates.

Larry Rose, the Darby town marshal, said about seven armed men gathered Sunday afternoon, after he tried to stop Lynne Miller for driving a car with plates that expired in 1992.

“They had weapons and they were shaking them at us and yelling that they were going to kill us,” Rose said. “We backed off a little bit and then left because we could see that it could turn into a bloodbath.”

Rose said he tried to pull Miller over, but she drove about five blocks to her father’s house before stopping.

Her father, Al Hamilton, is a Darby constitutionalist who has been critical of local officials.

“She got out and ran into the house,” Rose said. “Then she must have called the militia group like they always do.”

Rose said he called the Ravalli County sheriff’s office and the Montana Highway Patrol for backup.

He said several area residents also arrived, bearing arms, in a show of support for law enforcement.

After waiting outside Hamilton’s house for about 30 minutes, Rose said authorities decided to leave.

He said no citations were issued.

Miller, in a telephone interview with the Missoulian on Sunday evening, said she refused to stop because she was scared of Rose and other local authorities.

“I was terrified because I had my children with me,” Miller said. “Larry has been harassing my family.”

Miller admitted the license plates were expired and said her husband turned them in to Rose shortly after the incident.

Rose said it is becoming harder for law enforcement officials to deal with the self-proclaimed constitutionalists who live in the area.

“All they have to do is get a driver’s license, registration and insurance and we could live together in harmony,” Rose said.

“They haven’t caused any other problems. But we can’t just leave them on the road and look the other way.”

In Helena, Gov. Marc Racicot on Monday acknowledged concern about the incident, but said law officers have to use their discretion in handling any traffic stop or arrest.

“We don’t want it to escalate beyond their ability to control a situation,” he said. “We’re concerned about being able to follow-through in the criminal justice system without anybody getting hurt.”

Attorney General Joe Mazurek said the constable made the right decision when faced with a minor traffic violation.

“Law enforcement exercised proper discretion in not forcing a shootout over those circumstances,” he said.

MEMO: Cut in the Spokane edition.

Cut in the Spokane edition.