The Arkansas Police Activity YouTube channel released dashcam footage from the arrest of anti-government activist and YouTuber James “James Freeman” Springer in Arkansas on October 17, 2024.
According to Freeman’s account, Arkansas State Troopers were doing a narcotics sweep and “pulling over every out of state car” they encountered, and he was simply caught up in the sweep.
In the footage, the arresting trooper was seen observing Freeman’s vehicle as it drove fairly close to another vehicle. Freeman slammed on his breaks at one point, signaling quickly before he made a sharp turn to exit the highway.
Instead of stopping on the shoulder of the road when the officer attempted to pull him over, Freeman continued down the exit and turned onto a local street, ultimately parking at a gas station.
Freeman repeatedly fumbled around for his license and registration while calling friend Shawn Buckner with details of his pending arrest. While Freeman was originally cited for following too closely and had been driving with a suspended license at the time of arrest, he was arrested for obstruction.
The YouTuber refused to get out of the car after multiple orders from State Trooper Eric Hoegh but began to comply with the trooper’s orders when the trooper was preparing to break his driver’s side window.
Due to his lanky size, Freeman had trouble sitting in the back of the Trooper’s patrol vehicle and had to sit sideways while he was taken to jail.
Freeman decided to stay in town for his first appearance in front of the judge the following week. He released an angry statement as that non-mandatory court appearance was delayed until December.
