Army vet arrested after alleged call to attack FL protesters

A former airborne infantryman was arrested Friday for appealing to attack protesters on Sunday at the Florida State Capitol.

Daniel Alan Baker, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla., Faces a federal charge involving the transmission of a kidnapping or injury threat, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.

Prosecutors described Baker as a “leftist radical” who was angry with the Jan.6 siege on the United States Capitol.

According to the Miami Herald, the former soldier received a less than honorable discharge from the military after losing his life when his unit was to deploy to Iraq.

Prosecutors said Baker, who reported links to a militia in Syria, planned to clash with protesters at the Capitol on Sunday.

The FBI has warned of a significant risk of violence during protests expected this weekend in all 50 state capitals.

The agency first received a warning in October that Baker had threatened violence and was trying to “recruit and train” others through social media to promote his “anti-government or anti-violent extremist ideology. -authority ”, according to the criminal complaint. He cited multiple violent threats against white supremacists, fascists, fellow citizens with opposing political views and Baker’s plea for the murder of US military officers.

“Baker called for arms for like-minded individuals to clash with protesters gathered at the Florida Capitol this Sunday,” federal prosecutors said. “He specifically called on others to join him in surrounding the protesters and confining them to the Capitol compound using guns.”

The battle cry was part of an 18-second video Baker posted to his YouTube channel showing him printing flyers with the headline “CALL TO ARMS JANUARY 20!” He also said that “armed racists” had planted the Confederate flag in the United States Capitol and that they would continue to carry out an armed coup in every state house in the country.

“We need ALL RESIDENTS OF FLORIDA to stand up!” said the aviator. “Here in Florida, we must surround the terrorists who are attacking the Capitol! Let them take the Capitol and fight with the cops. SURROUND THEM AND TRAP THEM INSIDE. “

Baker was considered a theft risk during a video hearing and is considered a theft risk. His next hearing will take place on January 21.