Capitol Rioter Jake Angeli, known as “QAnon Shaman”, to be jailed until trial

A Capitol Hill rioter known as “QAnon Shaman” has been held in custody pending trial after Arizona federal prosecutors initially said his words and actions during the January 6 siege show that the rioters’ intention was to “capture and assassinate” lawmakers. Acting United States District Attorney for the District of Columbia, Michael Sherwin, later said there was no “direct evidence” of kill and capture teams, and a prosecutor then echoed that line from the memorandum urging a judge to keep him in detention, according to the Associated Press.

Jacob Chansley, 33, of Arizona was indicted Jan. 11 by a federal grand jury on two counts of interfering with law enforcement while committing civil unrest and obstructing a Congressional procedure, threats from Congressional officials and disorderly conduct. Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli, has also been charged with four counts of misdemeanor.

Prosecutors say Chansley, a well-known member of pro-Trump rallies in Arizona, is a “self-proclaimed leader” in the QAnon conspiracy theory movement. Images of a shirtless Chansley storming the Capitol wearing horns, a furry coyote tail headdress and makeup, carrying a megaphone and spear, quickly went viral on social media. He is being held in a federal detention center in Arizona.

In a detention memorandum filed Thursday, US prosecutors in Arizona say Chansley would pose a “continuing danger to the community” and a risk of absconding if released. While inside the Capitol, prosecutors say, Chansley approached US Capitol policeman Keith Robishaw and shouted that “this was their house, that they were there to get senators and they were there to take the Capitol, to get leaders of Congress, ”The memorandum reads. “Chansley also used his megaphone to communicate that they were there to eliminate several members of the United States Congress,” the file said.

The memorandum also states that “while Officer Robishaw attempted to quell the crowd, Chansley used his megaphone to incite them.”

Prosecutors initially argued in the memo that “strong evidence, including Chansley’s own words and actions on Capitol Hill, maintains that the intention of the Capitol rioters was to capture and murder elected officials in the United States government – United, “The Associated Press reported. But during a Friday hearing for Chansley in Phoenix, another prosecutor hit that line.

The prosecutor said the statement could be fair at trial, but added that prosecutors did not want to mislead the court, according to the AP.

Acting U.S. District Attorney for the District of Columbia, Michael Sherwin, told reporters on Friday that while there is no direct evidence of “kill or capture” teams, there are “breadcrumbs” that suggest a certain level of coordination between certain groups inside and outside the Capitol. Sherwin, whose office is leading the massive federal investigation into the riot, said understanding the riot’s motivations and the level of advance planning could take weeks, if not months.

In their case, Arizona prosecutors say Chansley then entered the Senate Chamber with a group of about 25 rioters, posed for photos on the dais where Vice President Mike Pence had been for a few minutes before, and left a note that said, “It’s only a matter of time. Justice is coming.”

The next day, prosecutors say Chansley called the FBI’s Washington field office, admitted his involvement, and described Pence as a “child trafficking traitor,” but said he did not have the intent that the note be a threat. When asked about the significance of the note, he embarked on a “long rant” describing current and past lawmakers, including Pence, former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President-elect Joe. Biden as “infiltrators involved in various types of mischief.”

“Although he said his note was not a threat, the government does not agree at all,” read the prosecution file.

Chansley was arrested on Jan. 9 with no knowledge of a sealed warrant for his arrest, prosecutors say he drove to an FBI office in Phoenix with the intention of ” continue his interview “. He brought the hairstyle, spear, horns, face paint and megaphone with him in the trunk of his car, according to the memo.

Prosecutors describe Chansley as a “follower-turned-leader” in the QAnon ideology who espoused dangerous conspiracy theories and described “suspended” lawmakers whom he called “traitors” in social media posts.

“He has repeatedly demonstrated dramatic and erratic behavior, an inability to conform to societal norms and a reluctance to appreciate the consequences of his actions,” the file read. “He respects his own belief system, acts on it regardless of the criminal consequences, and brings others with him.”

They say Chansley also vowed to return to Washington, DC for President-elect Biden’s inauguration.

“At this point in our nation’s history, it’s hard to imagine a greater risk to our democracy and our community than the armed revolution that Chansley has symbolized,” prosecutors wrote.

Chansley’s lawyer Albert Watkins, however, painted a drastically different picture in a statement Thursday. Watkins said Chansley was unarmed, non-violent and peacefully surrendered to the FBI. The lawyer said Chansley and others who entered Capitol Hill did so on instructions from President Donald Trump, and called on Mr. Trump to forgive Chansley and other “peaceful, like-minded individuals who accepted the president’s invitation with honorable intent. “

“Mr. Chansley is an American; he served honorably in the United States Army,” the Watkins statement said. “He has no criminal history. He is a nature lover, practices meditation regularly, is an active practitioner of yoga, and eats only organic food. He has taken President Trump’s countless messages seriously. to President Trump. Like tens of millions of other Americans, Chansley felt – for the first time in his life – as if his voice was being heard. “

So far, more than 200 people are under investigation and more than 100 face local or federal charges in the January 6 riot that left five dead. Hundreds of more charges are expected as federal investigators paint the tricks, videos and social media to identify and arrest suspects across the country.

Those previously charged face a variety of charges ranging from curfew violations, illegal entry and disorderly conduct to theft, assault and weapons violations. A team of top federal prosecutors is investigating more serious charges, including sedition and conspiracy related to the “most heinous” acts on Capitol Hill, Sherwin said Tuesday.

Catherine Herridge contributed reporting.