The Crazies Are Coming Home To Roost

I didn't blog about the Browns while it was going on because by the time I started this blog it had already been settled. But I guess some people have decided to take at least some matters into their own hands.

The story was national news, but for those who didn't follow it, Ed and Elaine Brown of Plainfield, NH, were charged with tax evasion last year. After they were charged, they refused to leave their home in Plainfield, claiming that there is no law in the United States that said that they had to pay their taxes. They were basically living like survivalists during that time, but were finally arrested when someone from the authorities approached their door claiming to be a supporter and was invited in.

Anyway, it looks like despite the fact that the Browns are now in jail, some people just can't let go.

An ADT alarm installed on the Browns' home by the U.S. Marshal's Service activated about 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Federal authorities have controlled the property since October, when agents arrested the Browns on charges of failing to pay federal income taxes.

Plainfield Police Chief Gordon Gillens arrived on the scene a few minutes after the alarm activated and found a "U.S. No Trespassing" sign at the entrance to the property replaced by a hand-painted sign reading "the house of prayer."

Gillens saw the man, identified as Israel Sonneosman in court documents, on the front porch, where an air mattress had been made up for a bed.

Sonneosman insisted he could not be arrested, because the house was the Lord's property and he was the appointed caretaker.

Gillens arrested him on misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief, trespass and attempted theft.

The man had unlocked a door to the Browns' main house and pried off a lock on an outbuilding on the Brown compound.

Sonneosman was found with two March airline tickets from Aloha Airlines from Honolulu to California and on to a destination that was not legible. The plane tickets read "SonneIsrael" and "Sonneosman Israel."

The man also was found with receipts from the West Lebanon Wal-Mart for a bicycle and vegetable seeds, according to court documents. He refused to be fingerprinted or to give his hometown, age or any other information.

While he was in jail, the Plainfield police received a phone call from someone who identified himself as "The Lord's Body" and a priest of the House of Israel. The caller said the man had called him from prison. The caller confirmed for police that the Brown home was the property of the Lord but did not give his name or location, according to court documents.

The man was identified as resembling a spiritual advisor who had visited the Browns during their standoff, so they don't know if this is the same person. But some people just need to be put in a straitjacket and put away.