Local resident convicted on driving with 24 license suspensions argued to court that he had a Constitutional right to travel

LOWVILLE- A jury has found a Lewis County area resident guilty of felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first-degree.

Andrew D. Gibbs, 37, appeared in court this week for a trial that began in Lowville, NY on Monday.

According to the office of Lewis County District Attorney Jeffery Tompkins, Gibbs was accused of driving a motor vehicle while his license was suspended two dozen (24) times on 13 separate dates.

Authorities allege that Gibbs failed to answer several court summonses for traffic tickets. During the trial, Gibbs reportedly took the stand and argued that he was traveling, not driving.

DA Tompkins says this defense is commonly used by sovereign citizens, who claim the Constitution gives them a right to travel.

However, jurors did not buy it and sentencing has been scheduled for later in December, where Gibbs faces a state prison sentence up to four-years.

"There is a misconception promoted by so-called sovereign citizens that individuals have a constitutional 'right to travel' allowing them to ignore traffic laws and regulations," DA Tompkins said. "This case emphasizes that those theories are baseless, and the jury’s verdict holds Mr. Gibbs accountable for his actions."

Lewis County Courthouse image.