Court proceedings are about to begin for Cleveland Grover Meredith, Jr., whom prosecutors say texted "War time" on the day of the insurrection after receiving a message "Pence blew it."
Judge Harvey indicates that he intends to rule in the government's favor in keeping Cleveland Meredith detained before trial.
Prosecutor:
Meredith drove from Colorado to D.C. "to participate in a violent insurrection" on Jan. 6, which he called one of the most "hellish" days in the history of our nation's capitol.
Prosecutor Baset:
Meredith wanted to use "armor piercing bullets," and it "just so happened" that this ammunition was found in his truck.
"Clearly this is someone who relished in the carnage," Baset said. "He relished, even after seeing what had happened."
Prosecutor Baset warns that releasing Meredith "is not a risk we can take in terms of danger to the community."
Harvey describes the "oddity" of the case being that Meredith did not participate in the insurrection.
The magistrate asks why.
Prosecutor: "His car malfunctioned, and he got here late."
Prosecutor:
"The texts speak for themselves."
"Frankly, the evidence that was recovered from his trailer further substantiates his mindset."
Govt exhibit
Prosecutor:
"He acknowledged drug use, even on the night of his offense."
Over the course of 24 hours in the city, Meredith assaulted a resident out of a "road rage issue" and called someone the N-word, the prosecutor adds.
Prosecutor:
Meredith is someone we believe is "under the spell" of the QAnon "extremist," "conspiracy," "ideological movement."
Meredith's federal defender Akpan says he has two children.
Akpan claims that her client intended his text messages to be a "joke."
Akpan characterizes her client as a 53-year-old, churchgoing divorced man with two sons.
A Pre-Trial Services representative says:
There is no combination of conditions that would ensure the safety of the community.
Prosecutor Baset calls it nonsense that he made the remarks in jest.
Asked by the FBI about whether his threats were serious or a joke, Meredith replied: "It's a little of both," Baset said.
Harvey: I am going to grant the govt's request and order that Mr. Meredith be detained pending trial.
Magistrate Judge Harvey indicates that this appears to be a "true threats" case and that releasing Meredith would be a "danger to the community."
"If I had a more concerning threats case before me, I do not remember it," the judge added.
Judge Harvey to Meredith on his weapons:
"I just don't see any lawful purpose that you could possibly have with that sort of firepower in this city."
"I think you represent a certain danger if you were to be released."
The judge adds that it appears "the government has a solid case against you," with the strength of the evidence weighing in favor of his detention.
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A prosecutor warned at a hearing today that Larry Brock, seen below holding tactical restraints, intended “to take hostages.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cureton released him to home confinement anyway, at a hearing without remote access to the press. apnews.com/article/capito…
Larry Rendall Brock, a charged U.S. Capitol rioter seen with flexi-cuffs, was ID-ed by ex-wife.
"I just know that when I saw this was happening I was afraid he would be there. [...] It is such a good picture of him and I recognize his patch," she told FBI, per court doc w/ pics
"As a gang and criminal enterprise investigator, I have
interviewed many individuals involved in the racketeering and criminal activity," the FBI agent on the case.
My colleague @AlbertoLuperon will publishing details from the filing in our continuing coverage at @LawCrimeNews.