A three day trial for a man accused of shooting an Oconee County deputy, ends with a conviction and a sentence of nearly 200 years in prison. Gregory Wayne Maxwell was found guilty of shooting Corporal Lucas Watts and the attempted murder of five other deputies in a November 2023 shooting, during a traffic stop that left Watts gravely injured.
Maxwell, who represented himself, was convicted by the jury after 3 hours of deliberation and sentenced to 180 years and 30 days in prison. In a statement Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said he was pleased the verdict and added that Maxwell's "actions have, and will, affect the lives of many for the rest of their lives, especially Lucas and his family.”
During court proceedings, Maxwell's "Sovereign Citizen" beliefs were brought to the forefront. Sovereign Citizens believe they are immune to local, state and federal laws. They do not recognize the government's authority and thus believe they are self governed.
They are considered by many as an "extremist groups". A Former FBI Undercover has spoken publicly about his encounters with those in the movement and described sovereign citizens as "unhinged". Regardless of how much authority Maxwell gives the government, he will spend the rest of his natural life in prison.
