The accused Capitol rioter John Sullivan – an anti-Trump activist who allegedly infiltrated the rally off-track – has a history of protest violence and “thrives in chaos”, warned a federal prosecutor in a failed attempt to arrest him as yours The DC case continues.
“He thrives on chaos,” federal prosecutor Bryan N. Reeves told a judge in his home state of Sullivan, Utah, during a Zoom hearing on Friday night, at which he was released to house arrest for objection by the prosecution.
“The defendant uses messaging apps to set up meetings and create disturbances,” Reeves told the judge.
“He will present himself as different members of organizations, even those that rejected him”, just to stir people up and cause problems, Reeves argued about the former Olympic speed skater and self-proclaimed provocateur.
Sullivan also had plans to return to the Capitol on Inauguration Day, Reeves argued.
This, despite a series of allegations involving no less than three protests.
Sullivan surrendered on Thursday in Utah on charges of civil unrest, entering a restricted building and violent entry or disorderly conduct after participating in the violent crowd of President Trump supporters who invaded the U.S. Capitol last week.
But he remains accused of inciting a riot in Provo, Utah, during a protest that resulted in a driver being shot and in which he allegedly threatened violence and committed criminal acts.
During that riot, Sullivan urged other protesters “to block public roads,” said Reeves.
Elaborating the case, the prosecutor revealed that Sullivan is additionally accused of “kicking a civilian vehicle while threatening the woman inside to” hit her in the ass and lift her head up “, thereby exhibiting” reckless disregard for the health and well-being of innocent civilians ” . “
While he was in Provo for that rally, he was online “urging others in Portland, Oregon, to resist the police,” added Reeves.
Even so, Judge Daphne Oberg ordered Sullivan, 26, to remain free in the cases of DC and Provo, but kept under strict house arrest.
His use of the Internet and his travels will be monitored, and he is prohibited from leaving home, except for commitments approved by the court, the judge said.
He must also undergo a mental health assessment. He is due to appear at his next DC court hearing on the Capitol riot, which will take place virtually at 1 pm on January 22.