Couple claiming allegiance to ‘Moorish Nation’ arrested after squatting in NASCAR driver’s multi-million dollar mansion, authorities say

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - A couple has been arrested for breaking in and squatting inside a multi-million-dollar Mooresville home owned by a NASCAR driver, authorities said.

According to Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten, the couple - who said they are members of the anti-government group Moorish Nation - broke into a home off Highway 152 that belongs to NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse.

An arrest report obtained by WBTV identifies Columbia, S.C. residents Darius Trrone Hall, 29, and Nataijah Shaieena Fields, 37, as the offenders.

The report shows that the arrest happened on Aug. 19 at 8:21 p.m.

Hall was charged with breaking and entering, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, carrying a concealed gun, and second-degree trespassing. He was given a $25,000 secured bond.

Fields was charged with breaking and entering, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and second-degree trespassing. She was given a $10,000 secured bond.

Both Hall and Fields were taken to the Rowan County Detention Center.

The massive mansion targeted by the couple is listed for nearly $16 million.

“It was a break-in of the residence. They had no right to be there; it had never been sold,” Rowan County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy David Ramsey said.

Rowan County deputies said they were called after the real estate company got a false report the house was bought for $16 million and the money was wired to the mayor of Mooresville.

“Through the real estate company, we were notified and responded to the location,” Ramsey said.

According to deputies, they found two adults and two children on the property. The real estate company noticed the people on a surveillance camera.

Deputies say they found an assault rifle in the car and fake money, and the people refused to cooperate with them. The car allegedly had a paper sovereign license plate, which tipped deputies off about their affiliation with the Moorish Sovereign Nation.

The group shares beliefs similar to traditional sovereign citizens. Common practices include filings to claim property belonging to another.

Related: Couple arrested after squatting in multi-million dollar mansion, claim allegiance to ‘Moorish Nation’

“From what we can see, it appears they were only in there a few hours because we were able to obtain video footage of them going into the residence which they had no right to be there,” Ramsey said.

The real estate company declined to comment about the incident.

According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, there are now changes in places at the estate to prevent this from happening again.

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