‘Moorish sovereigns’ try to seize $4.5 million Woodway home

In Edmonds, Washington, two members of a sovereign citizen group attempted to take control of a vacant $4. 5 million home in Woodway, insisting they had seized it under Moorish law. This incident is part of a series of reported intrusions by self-proclaimed Moorish sovereigns, raising concerns among local residents. The police were alerted when a neighbor, familiar with the home's owners, noticed unauthorized individuals inside the gated property. Officers identified the suspects, Marcel Maddox Bey and Courtnie Simone Martin, who had previously been warned against trespassing.

Legal precedents have established that claims of immunity based on Moorish identity are unfounded, highlighting the broader issue of extremist ideologies challenging property rights. The article underscores rising tensions in affluent neighborhoods as community members confront bizarre and unlawful assertions of property ownership. Both suspects were booked for residential burglary, reflecting the need for legal clarity in handling such cases. As incidents involving Moorish sovereigns escalate, local authorities are urged to strengthen their responses to protect property owners.