A deputy on overnight patrol spotted something you don’t see every day — a man walking up and down the highway with a machete, sharpening the blade as he went.
According to a report from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy encountered the man just after 2:30 a.m. while patrolling in Lucasville near the Taco Bell and Marathon area along U.S. 23.
Deputies say the man was pacing back and forth several times in front of the closed Marathon gas station and at one point tried to go inside, not realizing it wasn’t open.
When the deputy made contact and asked what he was doing, the man said he was “traveling.”
The deputy noted the man had already passed the area four to five times while continuing to sharpen the machete.
Given the situation, the deputy chose to wait for backup before attempting to stop him. By the time additional deputies arrived, the man had disappeared from the area.
⚠️ What Does “Traveling” Mean?
That word raised some eyebrows.
In recent years, law enforcement has seen more people using the term “traveling” instead of “driving” or “walking” as part of what’s often tied to so-called sovereign citizen beliefs.
People who follow that mindset sometimes believe:
- Laws don’t apply to them in the same way
- They don’t need licenses or identification
- They can avoid law enforcement authority by using certain language
It doesn’t change how the law works — but deputies are hearing it more often during encounters.
