Authorities made a series of arrests after the Capitol riots. The United States Department of Justice announced several cases over the weekend with some deeply disturbing allegations.
Authorities say they accused several protesters who allegedly were captured in photos and videos that went viral in the later period, including an Arizona man seen with a horned hat and carrying a spear and a Florida man accused of carrying a pulpit on Capitol Hill that allegedly used by Mayor Nancy Pelosi.
The most recent arrests include the man dubbed the “zip tie guy”, who brought zip ties normally worn by police officers to Capitol. He was identified as Eric Munchel of Tennessee and arrested on Sunday.
Another man, Larry Brock, of Texas, was allegedly identified on Sunday “as one of the individuals who illegally entered the United States Capitol … holding a flexible white handcuff, which is used by the police to restrain and / or arrest subjects”, according to the United States Attorney’s Office. The FBI said Brock’s ex-wife warned them of his involvement.
Another is the case announced against Alabama resident Lonnie Coffman. US Capitol officers saw the handle of what appeared to be a firearm in a pickup truck registered to Coffman, police said. Members of the Capitol police bomb squad searched the truck and found 11 Molotov cocktails and a stockpile of firearms, including an automatic weapon.
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Police stopped Coffman from returning to the truck that night and found he was carrying two pistols, police said. The 11 canning jars found in the truck contained melted styrofoam and gasoline, Coffman told police. This combination has the effect of napalm because it makes flammable liquid stick better to objects when detonated, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Coffman is accused of illegal possession of a destructive device, with a maximum penalty of 10 years, and possession of a pistol without a license, with a maximum penalty of years. He is in custody pending a hearing on Tuesday.
There was still no response from Coffman’s lawyer.
Federal officials also said they arrested a West Virginia state delegate, Derrick Evans, who allegedly filmed himself breaking into the Capitol. He represents the 19th District of West Virginia in the state legislature.
Evans, a Republican, had just been elected to his seat in the legislature. He resigned on Saturday.
He has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Richard Barnett, who was photographed on Wednesday with his feet on the table of Mayor Nancy Pelosi, was arrested on Friday, according to law enforcement officials.
Also in jail is Richard Barnett, from Arkansas, the man suspected of illegally entering the office of Mayor Nancy Pelosi, putting her feet on the table and receiving correspondence. He will face charges of illegal entry and charges of mail theft.
Adam Johnson, a Florida man accused of carrying a pulpit at the State Capitol, as seen in a viral photo, was arrested and charged at Pinellas County Jail.
Thirteen people, including Barnett and Coffman, were indicted by the end of Friday night in DC’s federal court, the Justice Department announced. The FBI and the Justice Department say they have assigned hundreds of police and prosecutors to handle cases of Capitol disturbances.
Mark Leffingwell reportedly entered the Senate side of the Capitol, then hit an officer in the helmet and chest at Capitol Grounds. He is now accused of assaulting a federal police, illegal entry and other charges, says the Justice Department.
Leffingwell will be in custody for at least three days, News4 reported on Saturday.
Nicholas Ochs, who is allegedly the head of the Proud Boys section in Hawaii, is expected to appear in court at the U.S. District Court in Hawaii.
Federal prosecutors showed photos of Ochs in the file, claiming he was illegally on Capitol Hill and smoking a cigarette during the disturbances.
A Maryland man, Christopher Alberts, was accused of having two guns and ammunition near the Capitol, the Justice Department said.
Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr. was also arrested for making “interstate threats to spokeswoman Nancy Pelosi,” according to the Justice Department.
. Investigators claim that Meredith texted others that he was “putting a bullet” in Pelosi’s head.
Although he didn’t make it to the district in time for the pro-Trump rally, Meredith was found in possession of “a box of suspected THC edible foods and a bottle of testosterone cypionate / propionate”, unregistered firearms and hundreds of cartridges ammunition, the FBI said.
At least 14 more people are facing charges for chaos in the United States Capitol. The billing documents include some very worrying claims. Scott MacFarlane of News4 has been examining the records and asking the Justice Department questions.
In a text, Meredith said: “Thinking about going to Pelosi’s speech (obscenity) and putting a bullet in her head on live TV [purple devil emoji]. ”In another, he asked,” How much do you give me to dig trenches on the Capital’s lawn with a big truk? ”
Accused of violent entry and intentionality of entering a restricted building or land, among others, are: Barnett; Leffingwell; Matthew Council, Florida; Cindy Fitchett, from Virginia; Michael Curzio, from Florida; Douglas Sweet, from Florida; Bradley Ruskelas, from Illinois; Terry Brown, from Pennsylvania and Thomas Gallagher.
These six were arrested after refusing to leave the upper level of the US Capitol Visitor Center. The police pulled them out of a larger crowd and handcuffed them, according to court documents.
About 40 people have been arrested and charged in the High Court with crimes, including illegal entry, curfew violations and gun-related crimes, officials said.
Twitter announced on Friday that it permanently suspended President Donald Trump from the platform for using language that was “highly likely to encourage and inspire people to replicate the criminal acts that occurred on U.S. Capitol Hill.”
US Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia says more charges against more people are clearly justified.
“Anyone who participated in the insurrection and occupation of the United States Capitol, which is illegal, must be held legally responsible and brought to justice,” said Connolly.
Larry Cosme, head of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, says more charges are being brought against more people.
“Anyone who tries to hurt men and women in the police, federal, state or local community will face serious consequences,” said Cosme.
Federal officials said there was no indication that Antifa was involved.
These individuals are wanted by the DC police and the FBI for illegal entry, stolen property and other charges. Click on the photo for more information.