BREAKING: DOJ confirms arrest and indictment of Oath Keepers president Stewart Rhodes and 10 other members of the militia on seditious conspiracy charges in connection with the #CapitolRiot. Full indictment here: justice.gov/opa/press-rele…
MORE: Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and 10 other members of the militia are now the first #CapitolRiot defendants to face sedition charges in connection w/ the January 6 attack. Developing story here: wusa9.com/article/news/n…@wusa9@EricFlackTV
In the days after the 2020 election, Oath Keepers president Stewart Rhodes called for his followers to reject the results and said, "We aren't getting through this without a civil war."
Then, he shared a step-by-step plan on how to overthrow a government.
Prosecutors say days after the 2020 election, Oath Keepers president Stewart Rhodes held a members-only call outlining a plan to stop the lawful transfer of power. Shortly thereafter, Kelly Meggs and others organized training for "unconventional warfare."
A day after Stewart Rhodes said there would be a "blody and desperate fight" if President Joe Biden were inaugurated, the NC Oath Keepers chapter held a training on road blocks, setting up ambushes and moving in formation.
December 19: "Oath Keepers president is pretty disheartened. He feels like it's go time, the time for peaceful protest is over in his eyes."
December 22: "We will have to do a bloody, massively blood revolution against them. That's what's going to have to happen."
Four days before January 6, Kelly Meggs allegedly posted a map of Washington, D.C., in the Oath Keepers leadership chat with info about the rally points for the "quick reaction force" to bring them weapons. Thomas Caldwell allegedly was working on lining up boats for it.
Investigators say the week before January 6, Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes spent more than $22k on firearms/equipment:
- $7k on 12/30 for night vision & sight
- $5k on 1/1 for a shotgun, scope, magazines
- $6k on 1/3 for rifle/equipment
- $4.5k on 1/4 in MS en route to DC
In response to an Oath Keepers affiliate claiming "antifa" had breached the Capitol, Stewart Rhodes replied: "Nope. I'm right here. These are patriots."
Minutes later, he promised OKs: "Next comes our 'Lexington'" — the battle that kicked off the Revolutionary War.
In addition to the $22,500 he spent on firearms and equipment before the riot, prosecutors say Oath Keepers president Stewart Rhodes dropped another $17,500 on additional guns and equipment after January 6. Up to $40k at this point.
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Listening to the (non-#CapitolRiot) sentencing in an Arizona court for Tim "Baked Alaska" Gionet. Prosecutors are asking for him to serve 6 months for assaulting, trespass and civil disorder.
The prosecutor is playing part of Baked Alaska's livestream from inside the Capitol on January 6 now. As an aside, that stream has helped the FBI identify probably dozens of #CapitolRiot defendants at this point.
Gionet's attorney argues that this assault case is his client's only run-in with the law — which was true in December 2020, but is decidedly not true now. Since that arrest, he's been charged in the #CapitolRiot case and for damaging a Hanukkah display at the AZ capitol.
The detention hearing for Tim Boughner is finally set to begin at 2 p.m. It's been delayed multiple times over the past two weeks. The DOJ says Bougner confessed to assaulting police on January 6 and also to attempting to flee capture. Docs: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…#CapitolRiot
Boughner's attorney says his client helps care for his disabled brother-in-law and his nieces and nephews. Also points out that other #CapitolRiot defendants accused of assaulting police have been given bond, even Robert Scott Palmer, who's now serving longest sentence yet.
"I'm sorry to say Mr. Boughner, I do believe detention is warranted in this case," Faruqui says, saying there's "clear and convincing evidence that you are a danger to the community."
The next #CapitolRiot plea hearing is scheduled for noon, when Willard Peart, of Utah, will appear before Judge Friedman. He was one of a number of rioters who entered the Capitol wrapped in a Trump flag.
There's some back and forth about whether Willard Peart could have been charged with a felony. DOJ agrees the initial affidavit could possibly have led to that. Peart was ultimately only charged with misdemeanors.
Peart says he's grateful he's able to enter his plea virtually from Utah instead of flying to D.C. "Utah's a nice place," Judge Friedman says. "Come visit anytime you want," Peart tells him.
Listening to a status hearing now for four Proud Boys leaders accused of conspiracy. Judge Timothy Kelly says he's considering moving Zachary Rehl from PA to DC because the PA facility can't produce him for hearings. Rehl's new attorney, Carmen Hernandez, says DC isn't better.
Hernandez says the DC Jail has been "hellish" about making clients in other cases available for hearings.
Joseph Bigg's attorney Jonathan Daniel Hull calls the D.C. Jail a "phenomenally dysfunctional place." Says it transcends any issues with COVID or anything else. Really doesn't want him moved there. He's at a facility in Seminole County, Florida, at the moment.
Happening now: Sentencing hearing for Anthony Mariotto, of Florida. DOJ says Mariotto was part of and filmed a crowd that charged through police as they yelled, "Hands up don't shoot!" and "I can't breathe!" #CapitolRiot
Prosecutors play a video of rioters, including Mariotto, walking through the Capitol banging on doors and trying to open them. Says we know there were staffers at the time hiding from the rioters. "What would have happened if they'd found someone?"
DOJ says it's "particularly concerning" to the government that Mariotto was part of the crowd that went around banging on doors and yelling "Where are the traitors!?" Mariotto eventually made it into the Senate Gallery.