Overnight... the Justice Dept notified a judge they have additional phone records for US Capitol Insurrection defendant Brad Bennett of North Carolina. Bennett allegedly got inside the Senate chamber & is linked to Q-Anon.
Bennett's case is different than the others...
Feds say Bennett made his intentions clear on Jan. 2... changing his profile picture to read, “FAIR WARNING. IF THIS ELECTION IS STOLEN FOR BIDEN . . . PATRIOTS WILL GO TO WAR"
But it's what happened AFTER Jan 6 that's convinced the feds to ask Bennett be jailed
Prosecutors say Bennett suspected his arrest was imminent in March... and took off. Disabling his phone and connecting to the rest of the world through fast-food restaurant WI-FI
He vanished
Capitol riot defendant allegedly dodged FBI phone & text messages & used encrypted app
Feds say Brad Bennett went quiet on FACEBOOK and lied about his whereabouts
Bennett's attorneys told a judge Friday that Bennett wasn't trying to "dodge or evade" law enforcement"
But the feds say, 'The amount of trust this Court can place in Defendant’s word is questionable at best."
Brad Bennett appears for ARRAIGNMENT in DC federal court Tuesday afternoon. I'll be covering.
Of the 400+ defendants charged so far ... approx. 60 are in pretrial detention.
We'll see what happens w/ Bennett
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NEW: Jan 6 defendant Jay Johnston, former "Bob's Burgers" actor, asks for leniency at sentencing Monday
Defense says feds "persistently overstated Johnston’s participation at the Capitol..because he is an acclaimed Hollywood actor. government is using his status to make a point to the public"
(MORE)
MORE: Some interesting phrasing in Jan 6 defendant Jay Johnston's defense memo to court
"..Amid the chaos, Mr. Johnston soon found himself by the Tunnel leading into the Capitol Building on the Lower West Terrace.."
Defense: "Mr. Johnston found great success in Hollywood as an actor, writer, and producer including accolades for his role as the voice actor for Jimmy Pesto, Sr. in the animated series 'Bob’s Burgers' and as Officer Taylor in 'Arrested Development"
NOTE One of the plaintiffs, Yusef Salaam, attended the Sept 10 debate venue in-person The suit alleges Salaam and Trump had this exchange after the debate
ALERT: Judge Tanya Chutkan has just allowed the unsealing of approx. 1900 pages of Jack Smith records in the Trump 2020 election conspiracy case.
Heavy, heavy redactions. Lots to go through.
But note that the records include Mike Pence's announcement on Jan 6, 2021 that he would not overturn results
The first batch (720+) pages includes heavy redactions, but also has transcripts of depositions/interviews between Trump aides/allies and the House Jan 6 Select Committee.. including questions about the "substitute" batches of electoral votes
NOW: Justice Dept asks for 27 months prison in Jan 6 case of Dana Bell, arguing “history cannot repeat itself” after the 2024 elections. Prosecutor tells judge “deterrence” is critical
Bell is accused being “agitated, angry & violent” as she accosted police & media on Jan 6
Prosecutor argues Bell engaged in “prolonged, abusive and violent” behavior. Prosecutor says Bell grabbed police officer’s baton, as police tried to clear mob away after Ashli Babbitt was shot
Prosecutor says Bell uncorked a “verbal barrage” toward officer Jeff Smith, who died days later by suicide
Prosecutor says Bell is heard telling Smith “get a real job”, “no one supports you”
IN COURT JUST NOW: Justice Dept prosecutor tells judge that the Bureau of Prisons "confirmed there was an error" ... mistakenly releasing Jan 6 defendant Leo Kelly from its prison facility in Rochester, MN
Leo Kelly was sentenced to 30 months prison in August 2023, accused of breaching the Parliamentarian's office while amid the mob.. and of facing off against "an outnumbered line of officers"
Prosecutors say prison bureau "misread" or miscalucuated filing about Kelly prison term
Leo Kelly appeared for the court hearing by zoom.. and he's asked the court to allow him to remain free (on release conditions) pending a "re-sentencing hearing"
Prosecutors want Kelly remanded back to the Bureau of Prisons pending re-sentencing hearing