PHOENIX – His furry horned headdress and tattoos made Jake Angeli easily recognizable in the crowd that dominated the United States Capitol on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old man, also known as Jake Chansley, has been a constant presence at recent pro-Trump rallies in Arizona. He is a QAnon conspiracy theorist who is now a wanted man.
The DC Metropolitan Police put Angeli first on their list of “people of interest” for crimes related to chaos on the United States Capitol. He is accused of illegal entry and there is a $ 1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
When ABC15 investigator Melissa Blasius spoke to Angeli’s mother at her home in Phoenix on Thursday, she said she did not know where her son was, but added, “he is fine.”
Martha Chansley did not apologize for her son’s actions.
“It takes a lot of courage to be a patriot, okay, and stand up for what you believe in,” said Martha. “Not everyone wants to be the direct person.”
Several former classmates told ABC15 that Jake studied at Moon Valley High School and sent photos from the yearbook. His mother says he is a veteran of the Navy.
“He’s probably one of the nicest people I know,” said Martha. “He’s trying to get people to hear the message. Wake up. Wake up. Do we still live in the United States of America? “
Martha Chansley questioned whether the police really wanted her son, why didn’t they arrest him when he was at the United States Capitol.