JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- A criminal case involving a self- proclaimed sovereign citizen is meeting resistance from the man himself.

In May, Matthew Herron appeared in criminal court regarding a felony case where he is charged with reckless endangerment and two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

After a protracted hearing that day, Eighth Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Zach Walden allowed Herron to represent himself in the matter.

Since that appearance, Herron has filed a number of self- drafted motions along with other handwritten documents, according to court records. He also refused to cooperate with a mental health evaluation.

When Herron was transported to the evaluation, upon meeting with the examiner he refused to answer any questions, according to court documents.

On Monday, Walden ordered another mental health evaluation for Herron.

He also explained the consequences of not cooperating this time.

Herron currently has a $7,500 secure bond, which if he could meet would allow him to be released from jail. That will be revoked if Herron refuses another evaluation, Walden said. Another consequence would be holding Herron in contempt of court until he does participate in the assessment. A contempt charge would mean sitting in jail with those days not being credited towards any sentence, the judge said.

Along with this, Judge Walden offered one further admonishment. By not taking part in an outpatient assessment, Herron could be sent to a locked facility for a 30 day inpatient assessment, the judge said.

“I object to that your honor,” Herron said.

Walden said the objection was noted.

While sitting in jail, Herron has drafted several motions, written indictments for other individuals involved in the case and has gone as far to suggest “pistales at Dawn [sic]” to settle any disputes in his case.  Herron has also composed the terms of surrender by the State of Tennessee in his case.

His charges stem from an alleged shoplifting at Walmart, not cooperating with authorities and being a felon in possession of a handgun.

Herron has a criminal history dating back to 1998 with charges that include DUI, statutory/ aggravated rape, drug crimes, theft and violation of probation. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 8/25/2023- 6AM)

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