Texan comes to defend Snohomish outlaw barber cutting hair

Bob Martin is defying orders to close. The man he calls his attorney didn’t go to law school.

Self-described “constitutional lawyer” Rick Martin drove to Snohomish from Texas to support a barber who’s defying Washington’s stay-home order. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

Self-described “constitutional lawyer” Rick Martin drove to Snohomish from Texas to support a barber who’s defying Washington’s stay-home order. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

SNOHOMISH — The Stag Barber has a new character in his ongoing soap opera. And this one is straight out of Texas.

Rick Martin stuck out among the dozen guys in T-shirts and ball caps waiting for haircuts Tuesday outside the shop that has been operating illegally for a month.

He wore cowboy boots and a long overcoat. Shoulder-length blond hair spilled from under a white cowboy hat.

But Martin, 50, wasn’t there for a haircut.

He said he drove from Texas to defend barber Bob Martin (the two men are not related), who has reopened in open defiance of Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order.

According to the state of Washington, the barber is unlicensed and non-essential. Last week, the Attorney General’s Office sent the barber a letter saying he had 48 hours to close up shop or he’d face legal action.

“They have no lawful authority,” said Rick Martin, who doesn’t have a law degree.

“I’m not a bar (association) attorney. I’m a constitutional lawyer. If anybody comes at him, I am coming right back with teeth.”

He flashed a smile showing he has a full set.

Rick Martin said a friend of the barber contacted him for his help and that contributions are funding the cause. The Texan started a ReOpening America campaign with a GoFundMe page that has raised $4,000 of a $75,000 goal.

Earlier this month, the Snohomish Health District sent Bob Martin, 79, a certified letter directing him to immediately stop all appointments or face the possibility of criminal charges.

”The district is working with our attorney on the next steps,” Heather Thomas, the county’s health district spokesperson, said Tuesday.

The state suspended the barber’s cosmetology operator license and served him with a cease-and-desist order for doing business without a salon shop license. His license for the shop expired March 10, 2017.

The barber said he plans to continue cutting hair at the shop, where gloves, masks and social distancing guidelines are not in effect.

“I have a limited role in this if any,” Snohomish Mayor John Kartak said. “The governor has suspended civil liberties in the face of an emergency.”

He and the barber go way back. “I have known Robert Martin as a friend for many years,” Kartak said. “He has cut my hair on many occasions, but not during the COVID-19 crisis.”

An Arlington gym that reopened May 11 closed eight days later after the state attorney general filed a lawsuit. “We would lose,” a co-owner of PA Fitness conceded.

Andrea Brown: abrown@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3443. Twitter @reporterbrown.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.