SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – An Utah activist who filmed the fatal shooting of a Trump supporter during the U.S. Capitol insurrection will be released under house arrest, a federal judge ruled on Friday.
John Sullivan, 26, a self-styled journalist and liberal activist, was arrested Thursday and charged with civil disorder, violent entry or disorderly conduct and entry into a restricted building or grounds.
He made his first appearance in court on Friday, via videoconference, where he was released under various conditions, including staying at his home when he was not going to work, religious services or court appearances.
Assistant US Attorney Bryan Reeves also requested that Sullivan not have access to social media and that his Internet access be monitored to limit his ability to incite violence.
“We understand that this individual thrives in chaos,” said Reeves. “He thrives on inciting chaos. He will use the disguise of protest to create chaos. He will impersonate different members of organizations, the ones that even rejected him, so that he can generate this self-aggrandizing attention. “
Mary Corporon, Sullivan’s lawyer, agreed to the request, as long as she did not prohibit her client from finding a job.
Sullivan is prohibited from carrying any firearms, ammunition or other dangerous weapons and must not contain any narcotics or controlled substances. He is also not allowed to leave the state and must give up his passport.
He is due to appear at his next virtual court hearing on January 22.
Sullivan released images to the FBI that showed him entering the Capitol on January 6 and roaming the building, according to prison documents. His footage also included a video of when Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt of San Diego was shot by the Capitol Police outside Speaker’s Lobby, according to court documents.
In a video, Sullivan can be heard cheering the crowd as they broke through the final barricade in front of the Capitol and saying, “We did it together … We are all part of the story.”
In at least two meetings, Sullivan can be heard telling police officers to leave so they don’t get hurt and saying “people spoke”, according to a statement.
He told the Associated Press earlier this week that he was only there to document events at the U.S. Capitol and did not attend the riot as a Trump supporter.
Sullivan was also charged with riots and criminal acts on July 13, following a June protest in Provo, which resulted in an SUV driver being shot while driving between the two opposing groups. The case is pending.
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Eppolito is a member of the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a national nonprofit service program that puts journalists in local newsrooms to report on covert issues.