An armed security team contracted by a Pike County woman to take over a Poconos community association and reclaim the land as her own raided the association’s clubhouse Monday and took a security officer hostage, state police at Blooming Grove said.
Troopers arrested and charged seven people for felonies which include terrorism, aggravated assault, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, theft and terroristic threats. They tried to take over Pine Ridge, a private, gated community development with about 1,100 homes, according to a criminal complaint filed by Trooper Edward Theodore.
They are:
Tonia Scott, 49, 4110 Winchester Way, Lehman Twp.
Sekou Rashid-Abdullah, age unavailable, 4800 Lamonte Lane, Apt. 1105, Houston, Texas.
Keeba Harris, 43, 4110 Winchester Way, Lehman Twp.
Sushane Adams-Heylinger, 26, 158 Hawley St., Binghamton, New York.
Musa Abdur-Rahim, 27, 8 Munsell St., Binghamton, New York.
Adam Abdur-Rahim, 31, 303 Rosamond St., Apartment 6-46, Houston, Texas.
Troy Sutton, 50, 55 Goodwin Place, Brooklyn, New York.
Scott waged an unsuccessful campaign in courtrooms over the last several years claiming her Native American heritage makes her the rightful owner of the land where the Pine Ridge and Saw Creek communities are located in Lehman Twp. in Pike County.
“She was hoping that she was going to claim her property,” said Trooper Bob Urban, a spokesman for the Dunmore-based Troop R.
Scott claimed in federal court in 2016, that Pennsylvania American Water could not shut off her service for non-payment. Instead, they must pay her for using the land since it is a sub-corporation of the United States and as “an heir to the North American continent,” no law can exist that effects her right to self-determination, according to court paperwork.
The case was dismissed less than two weeks after she filed her complaint.
In 2017, she sought in federal court to have residents in Pine Ridge ejected and collect damages. That complaint also failed.
As recently as Sept. 6, Scott and Harris tried to present paperwork at the community office showing claim but were “intimidated” by a security guard and forced to leave.
Scott decided to make another attempt, but this time she would bring armed back-up.
Several weeks ago, she approached Sutton, a man who worked corporate security at a McDonald’s in Brooklyn, New York. She needed a security force to occupy land she owned, she told him. They exchanged numbers.
Sutton forwarded the information to his cousin, Adam Abdur-Rahim, who was a security specialist in Houston.
Scott and Abdur-Rahim discussed terms. Scott promised him a job as the chief of the tribal police that pays $1,000 a week and a free house of his choosing. Her security force would be paid $500 a week on a five-year contract and be given housing for $1 a year.
Abdur-Rahim went to work putting together a team — Sutton; his brother, Musa Abdur-Rahim; and his friends, Rashid-Abdullah and Adams-Heylinger.
On Monday morning, the day of the raid, the seven people police charged met in New York City, armed themselves and journeyed to Pike County.
At about 1 p.m., they entered the building and took a security officer, Sgt. John Derbyshire, hostage. Other staff members in the building barricaded themselves in other rooms.
Sutton later told state police that their only intention was to remove people from the property.
State police said they smashed windows and doors and caused extensive damage.
Chief Anthony Benito came to Derbyshire’s aid and found himself in a standoff with the gunmen. Fearing a gunfight would erupt, Benito retreated and contacted state police for help.
The gunmen handcuffed Derbyshire, 66, and put him in the back of his own vehicle.
The seven then tried to escape.
The two women were nearby in a getaway vehicle and tried to drive away, state police said.
Two of the gunmen tried to speed away with Derbyshire. Their plan was to drop off Derbyshire at the gate and then move on to raid Saw Creek.
Sutton stole the keys for a Pine Ridge security vehicle and tried to make his getaway.
However, troopers arrived and took everyone into custody.
The only injury reported came as Derbyshire hurt his wrist from the handcuffs.
The accused are held at the Pike County Correctional Facility without bail. Preliminary hearings are scheduled 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9144; @jkohutTT on Twitter