Authorities have made a series of arrests following the Capitol riots. The US Department of Justice announced several cases this weekend with some very disturbing allegations.
Authorities say they have charged several rioters allegedly caught in photos and videos that went viral in the aftermath, including an Arizona man seen wearing a horned hat carrying a spear and a Florida man wearing it accused of carrying a lectern through the Capitol reportedly used by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
One of the most recent arrests includes the man called the “zipper man” who brought zips commonly used by law enforcement officials to the Capitol. He was identified as Eric Munchel from Tennessee and arrested on Sunday.
Another man, Larry Brock of Texas, was reportedly identified on Sunday “as one of those who illegally entered the Capitol … wearing a white flexible cuff, used by law enforcement officials to restrain and / or detain individuals. “said the US attorney’s office. The FBI claimed that Brock’s ex-wife tipped them off about his involvement.
Another example is the case announced against Alabama resident Lonnie Coffman. U.S. Capitol police saw the handle of what appeared to be a firearm in a pickup truck registered in Coffman’s name, police said. Members of the Capitol’s police bombing department searched the truck and found 11 Molotov cocktails and a supply of firearms, including an automatic weapon.
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Police stopped Coffman who was returning to his truck that evening and discovered he was carrying two small arms, police said. The 11 mason jars found in the truck contained molten Styrofoam and gasoline, Coffman told police. That combination has the effect of napalm because it makes the flammable liquid stick better to objects when detonated, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Coffman is charged with unlawful possession of a destructive device, with a maximum sentence of 10 years and carrying a gun without a license, with a maximum sentence of years. He is in custody on Tuesday pending a hearing.
There has been no response from Coffman’s attorney yet.
Federal officials also said they had arrested a West Virginia state deputy, Derrick Evans, who allegedly filmed himself storming the Capitol. He represents West Virginia’s 19th district in the state legislature.
Evans, a Republican, had just been elected to his seat in the legislature. He resigned on Saturday.
He has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Richard Barnett, who was photographed on Wednesday with his feet on the desk of the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, was arrested Friday, according to law enforcement officials.
Also under arrest is Richard Barnett of Arkansas, the man suspected of illegally entering House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, putting his feet on the desk, and taking mail. He faces illegal entry fees and postal theft charges.
Adam Johnson, a Florida man accused of carrying a lectern through the Capitol, as seen in a viral photo, has been arrested and taken to the Pinellas County Jail.
Thirteen people, including Barnett and Coffman, were charged in federal court in DC by the end of Friday night, the Justice Department announced. The FBI and the Justice Department say they have appointed hundreds of officers and prosecutors to handle cases following the unrest in the Capitol.
Mark Leffingwell reportedly entered the Senate side of the Capitol and subsequently punched an officer in the helmet and chest on Capitol Grounds. He is now charged with assault on federal law enforcement, illegal entry and other charges, the Justice Department says.
Leffingwell will be held in custody for at least three days, News4 discovered Saturday.
Nicholas Ochs, who is said to be the head of the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys, is scheduled to appear in court in the US District Court in Hawaii.
Federal prosecutors showed photos of Ochs in the court proceedings, claiming that he was unlawfully in the Capitol and smoked a cigarette during the unrest.
A Maryland man named Christopher Alberts was charged with having two guns and ammunition near the Capitol, the Justice Department said.
Cleveland Grover Meredith, Jr. was also arrested for making “interstate threats to speaker Nancy Pelosi,” the Justice Department said.
. Investigators allege that Meredith texted others that he would put “a bullet” in Pelosi’s head.
Although he did not arrive in the district in time for the pro-Trump rally, Meredith was found to be in possession of “a box of suspected THC edibles and a bottle of testosterone cypionate / propionate,” unregistered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. the FBI said.
At least 14 more people are accused of the chaos in the Capitol. The indicting documents contain some very disturbing allegations. News4’s Scott MacFarlane went through the files and asked the Justice Department questions.
In a text, Meredith said, “Thinking about going to Pelosi’s (obscenity) speech and a bullet in her head on Live TV [purple devil emoji]. In another he asked, “How much do you give me to dig the Capital lawn with a big trick?”
Charged with violent entry and knowingly entering a restricted building or site include: Barnett; Leffingwell; Matthew Council, of Florida; Cindy Fitchett, from Virginia; Michael Curzio, from Florida; Douglas Sweet, from Florida; Bradley Ruskelas, from Illinois; Terry Brown, from Pennsylvania and Thomas Gallagher.
Those six were arrested after refusing to leave the top floor of the US Capitol Visitor Center. According to court documents, agents pulled them from a larger crowd and handcuffed them.
About 40 people have been arrested and charged in the Superior Court for violations including unlawful entry, curfew violations and gun-related crimes, authorities say.
Twitter announced Friday that it has permanently banned President Donald Trump from the platform for using language that “would most likely encourage and inspire people to repeat the criminal acts that took place in the Capitol.”
U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly, D-Virginia, says more charges against more people are clearly justified.
“Anyone who participated in the uprising and the occupation of the Capitol, which is illegal, must be legally sued and brought to justice,” said Connolly.
Larry Cosme, the head of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, says more charges are warranted against more people.
“Anyone who tries to injure men and women in the law enforcement community, whether federal, state or local, will be seriously affected,” said Cosme.
Federal officials said there is no indication that Antifa was involved.
These individuals are wanted by DC Police and the FBI on unlawful entry, stolen property, and other charges. Click on a picture for more information.