published: Friday, March 22, 2013

'Private attorney general' arrested

MILLARD K. IVES | Staff Writer

millardives@dailycommercial.com

Tippy Iwin Peek showed his badge and issued a ticket during a traffic stop in Clermont on last week.

But in the end, it was Peek who was given the most tickets as well as being jailed on a number of charges, including possession of marijuana, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

According to Lake County Sheriff's officials, a deputy stopped the 55-year-old Groveland resident on U.S. Highway 27 after spotting what was suspected as illegal tint on his windows, only to be told by Peek he was a "private attorney general" who wasn't required to cooperate with law enforcement or register his car.

Peek then showed the deputy a badge and issued a phony pre-written ticket that stated "violation warning denial of right Under Color of Law."

Peek also allegedly had a working, rotating blue light inside his white Dodge Stratus and a spotlight that made it it look like a police vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit. He had a badge that read "Bounty Hunter" and a knife sheath was strapped to his leg.

Peek was taken into custody after he allegedly refused to allow deputies to measure the tint on his car and fought with them during his arrest.

The arrest affidavit added Peek was given seven traffic tickets, including one for illegal tint and possession of two driver licenses.

He also was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after deputies said they found in his car a grinder with marijuana residue and a pipe along with a small amount of marijuana they found in his lunchbox.

He has been released from the Lake County jail on $6,500 bail.