Devon Newman is the Scientologist whose alleged plans to execute police officers on behalf of the anti-government group, the Sovereign Citizen’s movement, were thwarted by undercover agents in Las Vegas. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Newman is a Public Relations Director for the Church of Scientology
Devon Campbell Newman, 67, has been a public relations director of Scientology’s “Celebrity Center” in Las Vegas, Nevada since early 2010. According to her LinkedIn, she has remained in the position to the present day.
2. She’s a Part of the Anti-Government Sovereign Citizen’s Movement
Newman is allegedly a member of the Sovereign Citizen’s movement, an anti-government group that takes the position that they are answerable only to common law and are not subject to any statutes or proceedings at the federal, state or municipal levels. They do not recognize U.S. currency and are are “free of any legal constraints.” They also reject most forms of taxation.
3. Authorities Thwarted Her and Her Partner’s Alleged Plan to Execute Police Officers
Newman’s partner, David Allen Brutsche
She and her roommate and partner in crime, 42-year-old David Allen Brutsche, were arrested in Las Vegas Tuesday night after a four-month long investigation led authorities to a vacant house the pair rigged to bind police officers for trial and execution. Authorities say an uncover agent who posed as an individual interested in joining the group was with she and Brutsche every step of the way. According to a 10-page report, the three participated in meetings and training sessions about the Sovereign Citizen movement’s philosophy and discussed plans to closely watch police offers to abduct.
4. She Denies Involvement in the Plot
NOW ADDED: The 20-page police report in the arrest of #Scientology Celebrity Center employee Devon Newman http://t.co/BljcPS1yM9
— Tony Ortega (@TonyOrtega94) August 24, 2013
In a jailhouse interview with 8 News Now, Newman, however, said that she was not involved in the plot and that although Brutsche had discussed kidnapping a police officer, she didn’t think he was serious. She also denied involvement with the Sovereign Citizen’s movement.
“I am upset, because if this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. I have felt for a while now the police are out of control. That they are stopping people and searching them with no probable cause,” Newman said.
Newman did say that she agreed with people who believe in restrictions on the government outlined in the Constitution.
“I align myself with people who, as our forefathers did, believe that in inalienable rights and that the Constitution restricts the government from what they can do,” she said.
5. She’s Been Charged With Multiple Felony Counts
Domestic Terrorist Suspects Reject Legal Representation: David Allen Brutsche and Devon Campbell Newman went… http://t.co/hRajVtB9jk
— LasVegas CP (@LasVegasCP) August 24, 2013
Newman and Brutsche are currently behind bars pending a September 9 preliminary hearing on charges of felony conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and attempted kidnapping. The couple told a Las Vegas judge that they didn’t recognize his authority to keep them in jail, but he sent them back anyway.
