In the days after Jessica Watkins invaded the Capitol on January 6 with her fellow Oath Keepers, prosecutors say, the Army veteran’s loyalty to the far-right paramilitary group only “calcified”.
The 38-year-old man, who is accused of preparing and training for at least two months to “fight hand-to-hand” to take over the Capitol, was concerned about the Oath Keepers’ view after the insurrection – and spoke of suing anyone ” Class action style ”that spoke against the group.
“If he has anything negative to say about us, JUDGMENTS OF JUDGMENT, I will let you know so that we can process further. Collective action style. Oathkeepers suck, ”wrote Watkins after a media report“ portrayed his conduct and that of his colleagues Oath Keepers … in a negative light, ”according to a memo that prosecutors filed on Tuesday in support of to your detention.
“They rescued policemen, WE saved lives and did all the right things. At the end of the day, this guy had better not try us. A lawsuit could even put money in OK’s coffers. He doesn’t know who he’s playing with. I will not tolerate defamation of character, mine or the Patriots we serve in DC. Hooah ?! ”She added.
Prosecutors believe Watkin’s continued loyalty to the Oath Keepers and the “federal crime of terrorism” that she was accused of justifies their request to keep her in detention until trial.
During her detention hearing on Tuesday, US District Judge Amit P. Mehta remained skeptical about the government’s allegations that Watkins was an escape risk who committed a “crime of violence”. He asked prosecutors for more information on whether the government’s destruction of property charge qualifies as “a federal crime of terrorism”. The request delayed his decision on detention until Friday.
“These are problems that will not only affect Ms. Watkins, but potentially dozens and dozens of others who are coming to the pipeline,” said Mehta.
Watkins is one of several members of the right-wing group accused of several crimes, including a conspiracy to disrupt Congress on January 6, when they met to certify electoral victory for President-elect Joe Biden. She allegedly trained recruits to put them in “fighting form” for another attack at the opening and examined people interested in the January 6 riot to “ensure that the right people” were affiliated with the Oath Keepers.
Federal authorities described the Oath Keepers as “a large, but vaguely organized collection of [the] militias who believe that the federal government was co-opted by an obscure conspiracy that is trying to deprive American citizens of their rights ”and that they heavily recruit ex-military, police and first responders.
The memo came after Watkins’ lawyers argued that his client should be released, since she was “harshly treated” and is at “special risk in custody” for being transgender. This lawsuit also insisted that it is not a threat to the public because it only invaded the Capitol because it believed “that the President of the United States was calling it.”
His lawyers also filled out a letter from one of Oath Keeper’s friends who downplayed his actions as those of an “idiot” whose “feelings went beyond his brain”. The letter, written by a longtime friend identified as Zach H., insists that Watkins is not a terrorist, but someone who has unfortunately been “brainwashed by those deeply rooted in conspiratorial beliefs”.
“I do not believe that she is totally inexplicable for her actions – nor do I believe that she should or wants to be – but I urge the court of my humble position as an ordinary citizen to show mercy that I know that Americans are capable of,” says the letter, which was filed on Monday night.
Prosecutors note that Watkins’ defense ignores the many well-narrated actions that she, along with other Oath Keeper members and associates, has undertaken in an effort to forcibly preclude the 2020 Electoral College Vote certification.
“She further notes that the detention depends on ‘the likelihood that she will commit other crimes if she is released until trial’, but she still believes that the crimes she committed – whose evidence is ‘admittedly strong’ – were legal and consistent with her oath to support the Constitution, ”says the memo.
While thousands of MAGA supporters invaded the Capitol, Watkins and his militia were clearly visible in photos and videos as they marched in an “organized line up the east side of the Capitol, wearing combat helmets, bulletproof vests, protective gloves articulation and radios ”, claim the promoters.
“Me before forcing my way into the Capitol building. #stopthesteal #stormthecapitol #oathkeepers #ohiomilitia, ”said Watkins with the caption for a photo she posted of herself on Parler, says the memo.
Although Watkins insists that she “did not intend to destroy property and even told others not to engage in such conduct”, she did not provide an explanation for the videos that show her of the rioters violating the Capitol or planning the months that she would committed to having armed militia waiting nearby.
Prosecutors consider Watkins a flight risk because she has suggested that she is willing to go “underground” if this coup [Biden election] it works.”
“There are no conditions or combination of conditions that will reasonably guarantee the safety of the community or [Watkin’s] submission to the authority of this Court if it perceives the actions of our leaders or this Court as contradicting its understanding of its duties under the Constitution, ”concludes the memo. “Releasing may be the norm, but the [Watkin’s] the actions and beliefs that inspired it are a unique threat to our democratic way of life. “