Naturalist arrested for foraging for food, totally owns judge

Ernie Tertelgte, 52, was arrested for fishing without a license and subsequently resisting arrest.  Tertelgte asserts an interesting defense, claiming he is a “natural living man” and that laws do not apply to him.  He also asserted he has a right to forage for food whenever or wherever he needs to:

I am a living man protected by natural law and I have the right to forage for food when I am hungry.

When asked to speak to the charges levied against him Tertelgte said:

You are trying to create a fictitious, fraudulent action.  I am the living man, protected by natural law.

When the judge tried to silence Tertelgte he shouted:

Do not tell me to shut up! I am the living natural man and my voice will be heard!

He went on to say while pointing at the American flag:

That is the Jolly Roger that thing you call the American flag with the gold fringe around it is the Jolly Roger, and you are acting as one of its privateers!

Eventually the judge, clearly exasperated, left the courtroom momentarily.  This is when Tertelegte and his posse of friends and family also vacated the building.

Several days later Tertelgte was back in a Manhattan courtroom, and during this appearance he was quiet and respectful.  His bond was set at $500, and he is due back in court in January 2014.

Lou Colagiovanni is the editor of ruthless-politics.com, National Crime Reporter for Examiner.com, and editor of the political discussion community,”We survived Bush.  You will survive Obama.”  You may contact Lou at [email protected].