A Mohawk man appeared in New York state court on Monday to face charges for removing soil from a Superfund site near the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation.

Wearing a traditional headdress, Larry Thompson told the judge that he doesn't recognize the state court's jurisdiction. "We’re going to get that straight or there’s going to be problems," the judge responded, The Watertown Daily Times reported.

Thompson, whose Mohawk name is Kanietakeron, owns property adjacent to the General Motors Powertrain site. Last August, he took a backhoe and started digging up the site, which has been on the Superfund list since 1984.

Thompson said he has experienced health problems due to contaminants at the site.

Get the Story:
Akwesasne man refuses to enter plea (The Watertown Daily Times 2/28)
Mohawk Tells Judge He Doesn't Recognize His Court Or State Law (WWNY-TV 2/27)
Man arraigned for damaging old GM plant (YNN 2/27)

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Mohawk man charged for digging up ground at Superfund site (02/07)
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe against 'illegal' digging at Superfund site (08/23)
Mohawk man arrested for digging up ground at Superfund site (8/12)
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe questions union's hiring practices (5/27)