A federal judge blocked the release of a man who allegedly brought ties to the Capitol during the January 6 uprising, as prosecutors say they are considering accusing the Tennessean of sedition for his role in the attack, according to court and official documents. .
Eric Munchel, a 30-year-old Nashville man, will remain behind bars as a result of Sunday’s decision by US District Judge Beryl A. Howell to suspend an order from a judge in Tennessee.
After testimony at a detention hearing, Judge Jeffrey Frensley of Tennessee’s central district determined on Friday that Munchel was not a flight hazard and did not represent harm to the public.
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Eric Munchel, 30, is believed to be a man photographed carrying zipper ties to the Senate House during last week’s riot in the Capitol building, the FBI said. (Photo by Win McNamee / Getty Images)
But Howell, who is sitting in the District of Columbia, has suspended the lower court order pending a review.
Federal prosecutors argued that Munchel’s crimes are serious enough to stop him pending trial to ensure the safety of the community.
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According to court records, an FBI search of Munchel’s home revealed the tactical equipment he used in the January 6 invasion of the Capitol, five pairs of plastic handcuffs, multiple weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a magazine drum style.
Munchel is accused of violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds, conspiracy and civil disorder. He faces up to 20 years if convicted.
In court documents filed on Sunday, prosecutors said they had information that could lead to possible additional criminal charges, such as sedition.
“The evidence accumulated so far subjects the defendant to crimes beyond those for which he has been accused so far, including obstruction of Congress, interstate travel for riots, sedition and other crimes,” prosecutors wrote when arguing for Munchel to be detained in custody.
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They continued: “These infractions carry substantial penalties, which encourages flight and evasion of law enforcement – a thought that the defendant seems to have contemplated by virtue of avoiding his home and workplace, closing his Facebook account and leaving his phone cell phone with an associate. “
Prosecutors said Munchel traveled to Washington with his mother, Lisa Eisenhart, who was also charged with the Capitol riot. The two participated in President Trump’s “Stop the Theft” rally, in which the then president urged the crowd to “fight like hell” and noted that they would march “peacefully” to the Capitol.
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Court documents allege that Munchel went to the Senate chamber a few minutes after the chamber was evacuated.
Munchel “considered himself a revolutionary, along the lines of those who overthrew the British government in the American Revolution,” according to court documents. He was “dressed for combat” in “combat boots, military uniform, tactical vest, gloves and a gaiter that covered the entire face, except the eyes,” the documents say. He also used a stun gun on his hip and a cell phone on his chest to record events.
Louis Casiano and The Associated Press of Fox News contributed to this report.