The Justice Department detailed the investigators’ findings in a new request to keep the woman, Rachel Powell, in prison before her trial. A Pennsylvania federal judge previously decided to release her shortly after her arrest, but federal prosecutors appealed that decision to the District Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, where Powell is being sued, saying she is a “danger to the community and a risk flight. “
Powell of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, was charged with obstruction, depredation of government property, entry into a restricted building or land with a dangerous weapon, entry into a restricted building or land, and violent entry or disorderly conduct. She admitted in an interview to the New Yorker that she was present at the riot and used a megaphone to direct protesters who were trying to enter the Capitol building again.
When agents searched Powell’s home, prosecutors wrote that they found “several broken cell phones” as well as “firearms paraphernalia.” They also found out what prosecutors said, “the police described it as ‘go packing’ because they seemed to be prepackaged for an imminent departure.”
Prosecutors sent photos to the court, which were obtained by CNN affiliate WTAE, which showed what the agents found at the house. The photos show what prosecutors say they found inside “suitcases”, including throwing knives and survival equipment like duct tape, lighters and tarpaulins.
Investigators also say they found what appears to be used to shoot targets with messages written on them: “Weapons don’t kill people. I kill.”; “Better shot than my ex.”; “Prayer is a good way to find you, but invading is faster!”
On February 4, CNN and other media reported that the FBI had searched his home, but was still looking for Powell. Prosecutors acknowledge this, saying it took him 11 hours to arrest her, despite having informed Powell’s defense attorney, Michael Engle, at 7 am on February 4 about the warrants.
“Noon, (Engle) told the police that the defendant was near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but did not give a precise location,” prosecutors said.
When she was arrested, Powell did not have her cell phone; Engle, prosecutors say, said at the detention hearing that “she may have been instructed not to bring him with her.”
CNN has contacted Engle about the appeal, but has not yet received a response.
Prosecutors note that Powell is a mother of eight children; two of them are adults and she shares custody of the remaining six – ages 4 to 17 – with her ex-husband. They claim that Powell “left the children unattended at home” on January 6.
On January 30, the day before the New Yorker article was published, prosecutors say she “left her children at her ex-husband’s house with no explanation and no indication of when she would return.” Prosecutors say the ex-husband asks for full custody of the children.
US Attorney Spokeswoman Margaret Philbin confirmed to CNN that Powell remains in detention ahead of a hearing today in the District of Columbia, where a judge will rule on the prosecutor’s appeal.
Patrick Cornell of CNN contributed to this report.