A federal judge blocked the release of a Tennessee man who, according to authorities, was carrying flexible plastic cuffs during the US Capitol riot earlier this month.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – A federal judge on Sunday blocked the release of a Tennessee man who, authorities said, was carrying flexible plastic cuffs during the US Capitol riot earlier this month.
US District Judge Beryl A. Howell of the District of Columbia overturned an order from a Tennessee judge regarding the release of Eric Munchel from Nashville. Howell suspended the lower court order pending a review.
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.
Federal prosecutors argued that Munchel’s crimes are serious enough to stop him pending trial to ensure the safety of the community.
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.
Munchel has been in federal custody since his arrest on January 10, when he surrendered to the authorities.
In a memo in support of the arrest, prosecutors said Munchel traveled to Washington with his mother, Lisa Eisenhart, who was also charged in the Capitol riot. The two participated in Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally, in which the former president repeated his baseless allegations of electoral fraud and urged the crowd to march to the Capitol and “fight like hell”.
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” with “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.