[ad_1]
Three people associated with the paramilitary organization, the Oath Keepers, were indicted Wednesday in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with the January 6 riots on the U.S. Capitol.
Jessica Marie Watkins, 38, and Donovan Ray Crowl, 50 – both of Champaign City, Ohio – and Thomas Caldwell, 65, of Clarke County, Va., Have been charged with conspiracy, obstruction of process official, destruction of government property and illegal entry on a building or restricted land.
FILE: Trump supporters attempt to break through a police barrier on Capitol Hill in Washington.
(AP)
Bother Watkins and Crowl were arrested on January 18, while Caldwell was arrested on January 19, according to a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
According to a criminal complaint filed on January 19, the three were on communication before the January 6 riot and coordinated their attack. The DOJ said all three were affiliated with the Oath Keepers, a paramilitary group that recruits current and former military, law enforcement and first responders. Watkins and Crowl are also members of the Ohio State Regular Militia.
The criminal complaint says the three documented their participation in the Capitol riots on social media. Caldwell posted Facebook posts that read, “We’re making progress. Doors violated[.]”and at 3:05 pm posted just,” Inside “.
DC NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDER SAYS PENTAGON TAKEN ITS IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AUTHORITY DURING CAPITOL ISSUE
Watkins posted pictures of herself and Crowl on his Talk account and captioned a photo saying, “Me before forcing entry into the Capitol. # Stopthesteal2 #stormthecapitol #oathkeepers #ohiomilitia.”
She also posted a video of herself inside the Capitol with the caption: “Yeah. We stormed the Capitol today. Tear gas, all, 9. Pushed our way into the Rotunda . We even got to the Senate. Fox) on the historic events we created today. “
The three people were indicted by criminal complaint. The maximum penalty for obstructing formal proceedings is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Federal authorities charged more than 150 people during the siege on Capitol Hill, some linked to right-wing extremist groups such as the Three Percenters and Oath Keepers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source link