SOUTH WEBER Utah (ABC4 News) – A 53-year old man was stopped for speeding and ended up trying to defend his beliefs.
But according to authorities those beliefs are from a bogus group professing to be a Native American Tribe.
Phillip Condie Cannell was booked after the traffic stop but it was the license plate on his van that got a sheriff’s deputy’s attention.
"The license plate looked funny,” said Weber County Lt. Kevin Burns. “And it wasn't legitimate."
Along with the questionable license plate, Burns said Cannel had a fake driver’s license.
Cannel claimed to be a member of the Pembina Nation.
The group describes itself as a Native American tribe based in North Dakota.
“Pembina Nation claims to be a sovereign area and claim they don't have to follow the laws of the state,” said Lt. Burns.
ABC 4 News went to Cannell's home in South Weber and found someone who claims to be his son.
In the garage sits a family car with a Pembina Nation license plate. When asked where his father got the license plate he said only his father knows.
“There's only a certain way because they don't let anyone into it you know what I mean,” the teen said. “You have to earn your way up.”
The Pembina Nation website appears to be legitimate. There's a long history of the tribe and authorities said anyone can join.
"It appears you can be a member for $150 dollars," said Lt. Burns.
But the website also lists a warning about scams artists using the tribe's name. It advises that anyone who is approached for membership should contact law enforcement.
“No they're not (legitimate)," said Lt. Burns. “They're not recognized by the federal government."
But according to his son, Cannell does recognize the Pembina Nation because they're anti-government.
“He doesn't pay taxes here,” said Cannell’s son. “He doesn't have to pay taxes because he has his own way of doing stuff.”
Cannel has been cited twice for having a bogus driver’s license. He was cited in Layton and recently in Woods Cross.
But this is first time he's facing charges involving the Pembina Nation license plate. Prosecutors in Weber County charged him with fraud, a third degree felony.
Meanwhile an internet search of the Pembina Nation shows that several states have accused the group of fraud.
In 2009, the founder of the group was convicted in Florida of selling fake documents to illegal immigrants.
A spokesperson with the state’s Ethnic Affairs said the Bureau of Indian Affairs has rejected the Pembina Nation’s request to be recognized as a Native American Tribe.
