'Sovereign Citizens' Leader Jailed Pending Trial

Updated: Tuesday, 31 Jan 2012, 11:24 AM MST
Published : Tuesday, 31 Jan 2012, 11:24 AM MST

LAS VEGAS (AP) - An Arizona man who prosecutors say led an anti-government "sovereign citizens" group is back in custody in Las Vegas awaiting trial on money laundering charges.

Shawn Rice had been a fugitive since March 2010. He was arrested Dec. 22 following a 10-hour armed standoff with FBI agents at his home in Seligman, Ariz.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Rice has been ordered to remain behind bars until a March 12 trial.

Co-defendant Samuel Davis was sentenced in Las Vegas in October to 57 months in federal prison.

Davis and Rice were accused of laundering about $1.3 million for undercover FBI agents from March 2008 to March 2009.

Agents say the group taught tens of thousands of followers that they're above the government's jurisdiction and not obligated to pay taxes.

'Sovereign Citizens' Leader Jailed Pending Trial