SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A Utah activist who filmed the deadly shooting of a Trump supporter during the Capitol uprising will be released on house arrest, a federal judge ruled Friday.
John Sullivan, 26, a self-proclaimed journalist and liberal activist, was arrested on Thursday and charged with civil disorder, violent entry or disorderly conduct and entering a restricted building or site.
He first appeared in court via videoconference on Friday, where he was released on multiple terms of release, including staying home when he is not going to work, religious services or lawsuits.
Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Reeves also asked Sullivan not to have access to social media and to control his internet access to limit his ability to incite violence.
“We understand that this person thrives in chaos,” said Reeves. “He thrives on fueling chaos. He will use the guise of protest to cause chaos. He will impersonate various members of organizations, the ones who have even denied him, so that he can generate this self-aggrandizing attention. “
Mary Corporon, Sullivan’s attorney, agreed with the request as long as it did not prevent her client from finding work.
Sullivan must not possess firearms, ammunition or other dangerous weapons and must not possess narcotics or controlled substances. He is also not allowed to leave the state and must give up his passport.
He is expected to appear for his next virtual trial on January 22.
Sullivan has released footage to the FBI showing him entering the Capitol on Jan.6 and roaming the building, according to arrest documents. His footage also includes a video of San Diego Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt being gunned down by Capitol Police outside the Speaker’s Lobby, according to court documents.
One video shows Sullivan cheering the crowd as they broke through the final barricade in front of the Capitol and said, “We did this together … We are all part of history.”
In at least two meetings, Sullivan can overhear officers telling them to resign so they don’t get hurt, saying “the people have spoken,” said an affidavit.
He told The Associated Press earlier this week that he was only there to document the events at the Capitol and not attend the riot as a Trump supporter.
Sullivan was also charged with rioting and criminal mischief on July 13 following a June protest in Provo in which an SUV driver was shot while driving through the two opposing groups. The case is pending.
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Eppolito is a corps member of the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a national nonprofit service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on classified issues.