“I am a sovereign!” Messiah Law-Elbey shouted at officers during the Keansburg Adverse Possession Arrest, a bizarre confrontation on Pineview Avenue that ended with two people in handcuffs. What started as a “civil matter” quickly spiraled into a criminal felony case when a local family realized strangers had moved into their property and changed the locks.
Table of Contents
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
On March 22, 2024, at approximately 4:19 PM, Keansburg Police received a high-priority call regarding a burglary in progress at 74 Pineview Avenue. Maria Demyanovich, the victim, reported a male was actively trying to break into the residence.
When Officer Victor Matay arrived, he found Messiah Law-Elbey and Emily Johnson on the property. The pair did not flee; instead, they insisted they were the rightful owners. Law-Elbey presented papers he claimed were from the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, citing a “Notice of Claim”.
The tension escalated as the suspects explained their presence. “It’s an adverse possession,” Law-Elbey told the officers, claiming the house had been abandoned. However, the actual owner’s family was standing right there, distraught and confused.
“This is my house!” Law-Elbey insisted, even though he admitted he didn’t have a key and had entered through an open door. The police remained calm, but the situation turned when Law-Elbey began lecturing the officers on “sovereign” law and claiming they had no jurisdiction over him.
The Arrest: Charges Against Messiah Law-Elbey and Emily Johnson
The Keansburg Adverse Possession Arrest concluded with both suspects being processed at headquarters. Law-Elbey was later released to medical services after complaining of chest pains.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| Burglary | Illegally entering a structure to commit a crime. | 3–5 Years in Prison |
| Theft | Taking property that does not belong to you. | Fines and Restitution |
| Trespassing | Entering property without permission. | Up to 6 Months Jail |
Legal Analysis: Was the Keansburg Adverse Possession Arrest Justified?
From a legal perspective, the suspects’ reliance on “Adverse Possession” was a critical error. Under New Jersey law (specifically N.J.S.A. 2A:14-30), a squatter must occupy a property continuously for at least 30 years to claim title. Law-Elbey admitted he had only recently “travelled” to the location.
Fourth Amendment Check: The police had probable cause to arrest based on the victim’s statement and the fact that the suspects had no deed in their name recorded with the county. The entry into the home was not a “civil matter” because the suspects had allegedly broken a window to gain entry.
Police Protocol: Officers followed standard procedure by first attempting to verify the documentation provided by the suspects. Once it was clear the “deed” was not recognized by the county and the locks had been changed without the owner’s consent, the criminal charges were applied.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is “Adverse Possession” and does it allow someone to take a house?
Adverse possession is a legal concept where a person can claim ownership of land after occupying it for a specific period. In New Jersey, this usually requires 30 years of continuous and uninterrupted occupation. Simply finding a vacant house and moving in does not grant legal ownership and can lead to criminal charges like burglary.
Can a “Notice of Claim” be used as a property deed?
No, a notice of claim is generally a document filed to alert a government entity of a legal dispute. It is not a legal deed of ownership. Presenting such documents to police as proof of ownership during a property dispute does not prevent an arrest if the official county records show a different owner.
Is “Sovereign Citizen” status a valid legal defense against arrest?
Claiming to be a “sovereign” or asserting that local police have no jurisdiction does not provide immunity from state laws. Courts and law enforcement do not recognize these claims as a valid reason to enter private property or resist legal arrest procedures.
What is the difference between a “Civil Matter” and a “Criminal Matter” in housing?
A civil matter usually involves a dispute between two parties over a contract or deed that must be settled in court. However, if someone breaks into a home, changes the locks, or damages property (like a cracked window) to gain entry, it becomes a criminal matter, such as burglary or trespassing.
Are individuals released immediately after being arrested for burglary?
Release depends on the court’s decision and the suspect’s condition. In this case, one suspect was released pending a future court date, while the other was released to medical services after complaining of chest pains during the arrest. Both remained charged with felonies despite being released from immediate custody.
Conclusion & Current Status
Messiah Law-Elbey and Emily Johnson were both charged with Burglary and Theft. They were issued court dates for May 7, 2024, in Superior Court. The property at 74 Pineview Ave was returned to the rightful owners, who were advised to secure the broken windows and change the locks immediately.
Download Police Report click here.
Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records.
Don’t Rely on Their Word Alone In this case, conflicting stories led to an arrest. The only way to prove your innocence in a traffic stop is with your own 4K evidence. Protect yourself this holiday season. 🎄 Click Here
This isn’t the first time “Messiah Law El Bey” (Real name: Markies) has done this kind of scam. He’s a serial house squatter in New Jersey and a “Moorish Sovereign Citizen.” He once broke into an abandoned house in New Jersey worth $3 Million dollars (The video is on YouTube of this arrest too by Bodycam Ninja).
Moorish Sovereign Citizens are a twisted blend of the Moorish Science Temple of America and the Sovereign Citizen Movement. They believe that the United States is actually a corporation and that the land actually belongs to the “Moroccan Empire” (which is defunct and never ever owned land here). And that the “Moors” are African-Americans who are the proper “indigenous” people of the land that simply haven’t realized their “status” as “Moors” yet, not the Native Americans or European Settlers. They base all of it off of a gross misinterpretation of the 1796 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States and Morocco (signed by John Adams). But in reality, it’s revisionist history born of a sense of entitlement, racism towards non-African Americans, and narcissism.
It’s a whole rabbit hole of delusion and pseudo-law that just never seems to end.
never met a smart nigger
why not?
they dont exist lol
Great article, thank you! Watched the video too. How was this case adjudicated? What was the final result? If you have a link to the court docket it would be fascinating to see if the squatter made bogus filings, which would increase the penalties. These people are domestic terrorists, the homeowner was such a nice lady, I’m sorry these criminals put her through this.