A judge dismissed a federal court filing by Ted Klaudt (klowt) that he's illegally imprisoned because of an insufficient indictment and a court that did not have jurisdiction.

The former state legislator from northwest South Dakota is serving 44 years for second-degree rape involving two foster girls who were given phony medical exams on the premise they could sell their reproductive eggs.

U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier dismissed as "frivolous" and "meritless" Klaudt's arguments that the trial court lacked jurisdiction because the American flag in the courtroom had fringe, making it a military tribunal, and because he later renounced his U.S. citizenship.

Acting as his own attorney, Klaudt wanted the court to call a grand jury to consider charges of treason against the governor, Supreme Court justices and others.