Jahote Dorsey

A Butler man being held in Butler County Prison denied his identity and continually objected to Monday's preliminary hearing on his case.

The continued objections led District Judge William Fullerton to sternly admonish Jahote C. Dorsey, 26, who is in the county jail on misdemeanor charges of escape, tampering with physical evidence and resisting arrest. He appeared by video for the hearing.

But Dorsey did not heed Fullerton's warning, leading the judge to cut the video stream and hold the hearing without Dorsey's presence. Dorsey also didn't have a lawyer and the hearing was held with just the prosecution presenting evidence.

Fullerton held all of Dorsey's charges for trial.

Assistant District Attorney Amanda Scarpo, prosecuting the case, called Trooper Michael Torres to testify about his encounter with Dorsey on July 21.

“I am not Mr. Dorsey,” Dorsey said as the hearing began and he began to object to Torres being called to testify. Fullerton told Dorsey that he noted his objection, but that the testimony would continue.

Scarpo later confirmed that the man was, indeed, Dorsey.

Dorsey made similar claims during his preliminary arraignment when District Judge Wayne Seibel remanded him to Butler County Prison on $100,000 bond.

On Monday, Dorsey continued to object despite warnings from Fullerton and, at one point, Dorsey said he did not consent to the proceedings. The judge eventually cut the video feed, allowing Torres to testify.

Torres said he stopped a car around 9:50 p.m. that day on First Street near East Brady Street for a faulty taillight. The driver was a female who was wanted on a warrant issued by Allegheny County, according to police.

Torres said when he approached the car, he noted a strong odor of marijuana.

Dorsey allegedly refused to give his name. He claimed he was a “sovereign Israeli-Muslim citizen,” according to arresting documents.

Torres said he told Dorsey to get out of the car, but when he stepped out he ran away, taking with him a drawstring bag. Torres said that the car no longer smelled of marijuana after the bag was taken by Dorsey.

A trooper chased the suspect for four to five blocks before losing sight of him.

Torres was driving on North Main Street in Butler around 6:15 p.m. the next day when he spotted Dorsey walking in front of a store, police said.

The trooper nabbed the suspect, who was found carrying $1,520 in currency and two cell phones.