‘American Pickers’ Guest Star Facing Court Battle For Multiple Code Violations
on Jan 12, 2024
“Hobo Jack,” a personality featured on two seasons of the popular History Channel show “American Pickers,” is currently in a lengthy court battle with the City of Litchfield, Illinois.
His Legal Troubles
Jack Sophir, a 91-year-old collector is facing legal issues after relocating to Litchfield in 2019 from his Montgomery County farm, allegedly due to being targeted by a gang interested in his car collection, according to KSDK.
“There was a gang of thieving hillbillies who had discovered that I had cars,” Sophir said.
However, his troubles escalated when he moved his extensive collection of antiques into town. Despite Sophir arguing that his antiques were not trash, neighbors disagreed, leading to multiple complaints filed with Litchfield Building Inspector Gary Baker.
“What they considered trash [was] my unrestored antiques,” Sophir said.
In 2022, Baker cited Sophir for property maintenance failures, trash accumulation, and harboring rodents, deeming his collection a nuisance. Sophir claimed to have addressed the code violations by cleaning up his property, but Baker denied that he had done so, and even brought in more items during this time.
“I have no idea how anyone could get [the] idea that there was an accumulation of garbage here,” Sophir said. “I certainly never saw it.”
Numerous court dates have been established for this case, yet Sophir declines to attend until he secures a pro bono lawyer for representation.
Expressing his desire to solve the issues alone, Sophir stated, “I just want to be left alone to try and deal with the problems that I have, which are enough in themselves.”
Sophir’s scheduled court appearance was pushed back due to a few factors, including audio issues, Sophir’s hearing impairment, and a last-minute request from him for a jury trial.
“If they continue with their procedure to have a bench trial, [then] what I am going to do is refuse to participate in it,” Sophir said.
Currently, Sophir is debating a return to the farm he left for the city life. However, due to financial constraints, pursuing this option would require some time.
