Frankly, as the OP stated, one reason to use a tor relay for direct traffic is to hide your traffic. A bit like a guy in a trench coat and fedora trying to look

Frankly, as the OP stated, one reason to use a tor relay for direct traffic is to hide your traffic. A bit like a guy in a trench coat and fedora trying to look inconspicuous. It's not illegal, but it's also not surprising when such folks are escorted out.