Convict tells judge he's too dangerous for prison
A member of the extremist Sovereign Citizen Movement told a Washtenaw County judge Thursday that he's too dangerous to be in prison.
Kyle Richards, who is serving prison time for bank robbery and was in court on a probation violation charge, implored Washtenaw County Circuit Judge David Swartz to find an alternative to prison.
Richards, 21, told Swartz he has a history of assaulting state workers as “violent forms of dissension.”
“This is a problem that needs to be resolved,” Richards said in asking him to find an alternative solution at his next hearing, which will take place at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 20.
Kyle Richards
State of Michigan photo
His attorney, Christopher Renna, an assistant public defender, advised Richards not to speak to Swartz regarding his request, but Richards ignored that advice.
Swartz listened to Richards’ statement and only responded by saying, “We’ll see you on the 20th.”
Richards twice has been convicted of assault and battery of a state employee and is serving a sentence for bank robbery in Macomb County, according to state records.
Richards’ history in the courts includes a lawsuit he filed this year against Gov. Rick Snyder and the state of Michigan in which he requested that inmates be allowed to possess pornographic materials. Richards’ lawsuit alleged that not allowing inmates to own pornography, personal televisions, video game consoles and radios was cruel and unusual punishment.
Richards is a member of the Sovereign Citizen Movement, a right-wing anarchist group that is classified as an “extremist anti-government” group by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On his website, Richards lists ending the “corrupt penal system” as one of his goals for his organization.
Richards is facing allegations that he violated his probation by robbing a bank in Fraser earlier this year. Richards was originally convicted on 2 counts of assaulting a prison employee stemming from a May 2009 incident where he assaulted a female employee at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry, according to court records.
Kyle Feldscher covers police and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Sallyxyz
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
"Richards' lawsuit alleged that not allowing inmates to own pornography, personal televisions, video game consoles and radios was cruel and unusual punishment." This guy is a nut case. Prison isn't a vacation in a hotel. It's supposed to be punishment for crimes committed. His website? Who is paying for that, and why does he have access to a computer while in prison? More frivolous lawsuits and waste of taxpayer's money.
townie54
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:23 a.m.
great for recruits to his orginization.A guy that wants his porn and beats up women prison guards.If he thinks he's to dangerous for prison then put him in one of the rough prisons.Bubba will see to it he gets plenty of real time porn.This guy is so full of himself
halflight
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:21 a.m.
Too dangerous to be in prison? I wish I could have seen Chris Renna's face when his client said that. Oh, the tribulations of a Public Defender. Definitely a story to be told over a beer after work.
paxsolace
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
It's more than obvious this young man needs help. What sickens me is that some of these posts are laughing or enjoying prison rape. What does that tell me about you? Rape is violence that no one should endure!
townie54
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 4:39 a.m.
its not like he didnt have a choice to stay out of prison.If your gonna rob banks your gonna be punished which he should of thought about before he did it.And yes if he thinks he's so above it all and doesnt care if he puts peoples life in danger then yes I could care less what happens to him in prison.The women prison guard he beat up shouldnt have had to go through that violence either
AA
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
This is why we have solitary confinement. Enjoy.
racerx
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
If you can't do the time.....
jns131
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 3:16 p.m.
I heard Guantanamo is a good prison for hard core convicts. What about Leavenworth? These are military prisons and let me tell you, not as pansy as the ones we have now.
treetowncartel
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
He will be in Ionia in no time
nixon41
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
What is wrong with Snyder & this bit about porn, etc. Prisoners should not be allowed to use use weights etc. Make them work on our roads(chain gang) & work for their room & board. They are there for a reason & NOT all the comforts of home. If someone thinks they are too dangerous for prison, well, put them to sleep permanently so they don't kill someone else. Better yet send them to Iraq & if they make it so be it. Send our soldiers home.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
Headlines you would like to see: "Convict tells judge he's too dangerous for prison. Judge tells convict he doesn't give a rip."
Mike
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.
So he beats up female prison guards. He'll have more fun and challenge with the prison gangs........
jns131
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
I remember my father telling me years ago that prison gangs love challenges. Wonder how he is going to fare?
Jimmy McNulty
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 12:11 p.m.
Richards looks as if Middle School would be too dangerous for HIM.
tommy_t
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 11:55 a.m.
How did "The Most Interesting Man In The World" end up in prison?
clownfish
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
No comments about this guy being "just plain folk"? Interesting. I guess he is too wacko even for the Hutaree supporters and the rest of the drown the govt types.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 1:22 p.m.
OK, though I'm not a Hutaree supporter per se, I'll bite. There is a big difference between talk and action. Also a big one between accusation and conviction. In either case, nice hate speech.
rs
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 11:31 a.m.
Toss him in a max security federal pen with the worst of the worst, he won't feel too dangerous then.
olddog
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 11:12 a.m.
Marquette - solitary-life
KathrynHahn
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 9:22 a.m.
" Richards' lawsuit alleged that not allowing inmates to own pornography, personal televisions, video game consoles and radios was cruel and unusual punishment" Seriously?!? You're in jail kid, not in your bedroom in your parents house, and last time I checked, being assaulted because of where you work or being scared outta your wits while simply banking because some stupid kid decides to rob it is pretty cruel & unusual punishment itself.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 8 a.m.
Solitary confinement, with a cold water shower installed, and something similar to a dog kennel attached for his mandated hour of fresh air and exersize, and a solid steel cell door welded shut shut keep him from being dangerous to anyone except himself.
Laurel
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 5:14 a.m.
According to his profile on The Sovereign Citizenship Movement website, he has 0 friends and is currently looking for love... Maybe he'll be more successful in his quest after the 20th.
Trouble
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.
Laurel very smart. He will get lots of love in prison!
A2centsworth
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 3:47 a.m.
Alternative to prison? After assaulting people and robbing a bank? Sure let's send him to Disneyland. Or maybe he is vying for a mental incompetency ruling.
J Shaker
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 3:20 a.m.
well i kinda dig his courtroom moxie. and as to the cruel and unusual punishment of inmates, he has a point.
bedrog
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 11:04 a.m.
clearly one person's "moxie' is another persons 'barking loon". Good grief, shaker!!
Ron Granger
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 1:43 a.m.
He sounds perfect for wallstreet. They'd promote him.
Basic Bob
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 3:33 a.m.
since felons can't be labor organizers
Richard
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.
The Judge might just consider an alternative plan because this is the type of kid that makes prison guards turn their backs while he is raped, beaten etc. All they need is this kid getting killed and his family suing because he tried to warn the Court.
f4phantomII
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
wcchamp4
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.
alternative plan...its called SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.....
RoboLogic
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
Call his bluff.
RJA
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
Humm, I guess I will wait until Oct. 20th. fot the Judge's final answer. Will any of the EA-G group members be allowed in the court room? I love where Swartz responded ( we'll see you on the 20th.) Play it safe Judge, make sure their is plenty of security and law enforcement in the court room. Am not afraid of (that face) just what is behind it)
Homeland Conspiracy
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 : 11:07 p.m.
Send him Iraq.
Mike
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 1:22 p.m.
Better yet let him go hiking in Iran
L'chaim
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 1:18 a.m.
Iraq wouldn't fit in an envelope. Or a prison.
Roadman
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 : 10:57 p.m.
Acording to Wikipedia,the "Sovereign Citizen Movement" has about 100,000 hard-core believers and an additional 200,000 persons who, in some varying degrees, adhere to their philosophy. The movement is closely monitored by the FBI, ADL, and Southern Poverty Law Center.
A2Susie
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.
Good grief! That's a lot of wackos.
Roadman
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 : 10:48 p.m.
Who is paying for his "website"? The taxpayers? Does he have the constitutional right to promote himself with a website? Convicts like him that are "too dangerous" are assigned to maximum security facilities and can be placed in lockdown by themselves for 23 hours per day. Charles Manson has been classified in a similar manner in California and receives treatment largely consistent with this regimen.