ALERT: Feds arrest and charge Stewart Rhodes in OathKeepers case
Feds: “The seditious conspiracy indictment alleges that, following the Nov. 3, 2020, presidential election, Rhodes conspired with his co-defendants and others to oppose by force the execution of the laws governing the transfer of presidential power by Jan. 20, 2021”
One year and one week after Jan 6 - after 700+ defendants have been charged — this is the new “high water mark” in charging documents for prosecutors
In charging document, Feds allege Rhodes messaged co-conspirators on Dec 11, 2020 “It will be a bloody and desperate fight”… if Biden were to assume the Presidency
Feds: “Rhodes continued advocating for the use of force to stop the lawful transfer of Presidential power”
Feds allege Rhodes made a purchase on Dec 30, 2020 - Two “night vision devices” and one “weapons sight” and shipped them to Virginia ahead of Jan 6
Feds allege Rhodes spent $5000 on firearms and related equipment on Jan 1-2, 2021
I’ve said for months that the “OathKeepers” conspiracy is the epicenter of the sweeping Jan 6 prosecutions. More so now than ever
Feds say while en route to DC on Jan 3, 2021 - Rhodes spent more money on firearms
Feds allege on Jan 6, 2021, Rhodes messaged others “All I see Trump doing is complaining” …. “So the patriots are taking it into their own hands”
Feds say Rhodes unlawfully entered Capitol grounds at 2:12pm on Jan 6, 2021
According to prosecutors … at 730p on Jan 6, 2021 - Rhodes messaged others “You ain’t seen nothing yet”
Prosecutors allege Rhodes continued buying firearms after Jan 6, 2021
FLAGGING THIS: Some of the co-defendants in this case or in pretrial detention. Some are on release at home. Gonna be very very interesting to see what the Justice Dept argues in Rhodes’ case in court
Seditious conspiracy: “If two or more persons conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the US or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the US”
Co-defendants in Florida, Alabama, Virginia. A broad geographic spread
This superseding indictment disarms the “Where are the sedition charges?” talking point from those arguing about the severity of Jan 6
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FLASH: US Capitol Police have arrested 58 y/o Kery Mcattee of Michigan. Police tell @cbsnews Mcattee came to police headquarters near Capitol yesterday to talk about “information she and about Jan 6” She allegedly had guns and ammo in truck
ALERT: FL sheriff's deputies arrest Garret Smith for allegedly carrying explosive device in backpack, while running from a Jan 6 jailhouse rally for accused OathKeeper
Sheriff: "I don’t know if he was in support or opposition of the protestors"
No criminal history
The Pinellas County (FL) sheriff said his department has undercover deputies working at Jan 6 jailhouse rally Sheriff included images of alleged explosive device during news conference Sheriff said Smith was dressed in all black and was stopped while running away from rally
Per the sheriff, the jailhouse rally was on behalf of Jan 6 defendant Jeremy Brown
Brown, of Tampa-area, is accused of carrying zip-ties & radio while wearing tactical gear amid the mob
Feds ask court to tighten release conditions on Capitol riot defendant Josh Pruitt, who's pleaded not guilty
Prosecutors have linked Pruitt to Proud Boys, allege he picked up a "Quiet Please" sign & through it inside Capitol
It's what happened *after* Jan 6 .. though
(Thread)
Feds allege Pruitt violated curfew at least 7 times and made threats. They want court to order Pruitt refrain from alcohol
"His curfew violations appear to place him at or near bars or clubs. Alcohol appears to have been involved in at least some of his threatening behavior"
Feds say Pruitt has multiple DUIs and was already on probation in Maryland & Georgia.. and violating release conditions.. on Jan 6, 2021
Atty General Merrick Garland begins remarks at Justice Dept in DC about Jan 6 ..
"Among the many examples of such violence: One officer was crushed in a door. Another was dragged down a set of stairs, face down, repeatedly tased and beaten, and suffered a heart attack"
Garland (more): "Those involved must be held accountable, and there is no higher priority for us at the Department
of Justice"
Garland specifies Jan 6 is "the largest, most complex, and most resource-intensive investigations in our history"
And that it's impacted by COVID issues hampering courts
Sen Amy Klobuchar calls it an “astounding number”…
9,000 threats against Members of Congress this year.
Significant increase from prior years. Capitol Police chief is telling Senate panel that his agency is chasing down these cases down.
Department says it is recruiting and offering bonuses to bolster its force, which is undermanned. Below authorized force level
Sen Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is now questioning US Capitol Police chief…. About changes since Jan 6. Flagging: there are multiple defendants specifically accused of illegally entering and defacing Merkley’s Capitol office
NEW: Accused Jan 6 OathKeeper conspirator notifies court about witness subpoenas for April trial. Including for Stewart Rhodes, Ray Epps, Cap Police chief, Capitol Police officer, FBI agent, Architect of the Capitol, news director of DC radio station, New Yorkter mag reporter
Per court filing from defendant, some of the witnesses are “to prove that the OathKeeper defendants were tasked with escorting VIPs such as Ali Alexander and Alex Jones from the Ellipse…” and went into Capitol for reasons “entirely unrelated to what they are accused of”
Per defense court filing today: Radio station witness is to show that Trump’s Jan 6 speech “was not played on the radio” in Washington DC and not audible to crowd of “demonstrators” with cell phones “overloaded and jammed and largely inaccessible”