Dozens arrested in riot on Capitol Hill after federal government finds guns, violent threats and Molotov cocktails – NBC4 Washington



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Authorities have made a series of arrests following the riots on the Capitol. The US Department of Justice announced several cases over the weekend with deeply disturbing allegations.

Authorities say they charged several rioters who were allegedly captured in photos and videos that subsequently went viral, including an Arizona man seen with a horned hat and carrying a spear and a Florida man charged with ‘carrying across the Capitol a lectern that would be used by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

The most recent arrests include the man dubbed “the guy in the zip tie,” who brought zip ties typically used by law enforcement to Capitol Hill. He was identified as Eric Munchel of Tennessee and arrested on Sunday.

Another man, Larry Brock of Texas, was reportedly identified on Sunday “as one of the individuals who entered the US Capitol illegally … holding a flexible white armband, which is used by law enforcement to restrain and / or detain subjects, “according to the United States attorney’s office. The FBI claimed that Brock’s ex-wife informed them of his involvement.

Another is the announced case against Alabama resident Lonnie Coffman. Officers from the United States Capitol Police saw the hilt of what appeared to be a firearm in a van registered with Coffman, police said. Members of the Capitol Police Bomb Squad searched the truck and found 11 Molotov cocktails and a cache of firearms, including an automatic weapon.

Police stopped Coffman from returning to his truck that evening and discovered he was carrying two handguns, police said. The 11 Mason jars found in the truck contained melted polystyrene and gasoline, Coffman told police. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, this combination has the effect of napalm, as it allows the flammable liquid to stick better to objects during the explosion.

Coffman is charged with unlawful possession of a destructive device, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years and carrying a pistol without a license, carrying a maximum sentence of years. He is in custody awaiting a hearing on Tuesday.

There has not yet been a response from Coffman’s lawyer.

Federal officials also said they arrested West Virginia state delegate Derrick Evans for allegedly filming himself storming the Capitol. He represents the 19th District of West Virginia 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 pictured on Wednesday with his feet on the desk of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was arrested on Friday, law enforcement said.

Richard Barnett of Arkansas is also under arrest as the man suspected of illegally entering the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi putting his feet on the desk and picking up the mail . It will face illegal entry fees and theft of mail.

Adam Johnson, a Florida man accused of carrying a lectern across the United States Capitol as a viral photo shows, has been arrested and held in Pinellas County Jail.

Thirteen people, including Barnett and Coffman, were charged late Friday night in federal court in Washington, the Justice Department said. The FBI and the Justice Department have said they have assigned hundreds of officers and prosecutors to handle cases related to the Capitol unrest.

Mark Leffingwell is said to have entered the Senate side of the Capitol and then 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, according to the Justice Department.

Leffingwell will be held in detention for at least three days, News4 learned on Saturday.

Nicholas Ochs, who is said to be the leader of the Hawaiian section of the Proud Boys, is due to appear in US District Court in Hawaii.

Federal prosecutors have shown photos of Ochs in court files, alleging he was illegally on Capitol Hill and smoked a cigarette during the unrest.

A man from Maryland, Christopher Alberts, has been charged with having two weapons and ammunition near the Capitol, the Justice Department said.

Cleveland Grover Meredith, Jr. was also arrested for making “interstate threats to President Nancy Pelosi,” according to the Department of Justice.

. Investigators allege 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 vial of testosterone cypionate / propionate. , Unregistered firearms and hundreds of cartridges. , said the FBI.

At least 14 other people face charges for the chaos on the U.S. Capitol. The prosecution documents contain very troubling allegations. Scott MacFarlane of News4 went through the files and posed questions to the Department of Justice.

In a text, Meredith said, “Thinking about heading for Pelosi’s speech (obscenity) and putting a bullet in his head on live TV [purple devil emoji]. In another, he asked, “How much are you giving me to go trench on the lawn of the capital with a big truck?”

Charges of violent entry and knowingly entering a building or restricted land, among others, are: Barnett; Leffingwell; Matthew Council, Florida; Cindy Fitchett, from Virginia; Michael Curzio, from Florida; Douglas Sweet, from Florida; Bradley Ruskelas, from Illinois; Terry Brown of Pennsylvania and Thomas Gallagher.

These six people were arrested after refusing to leave the upper level of the US Capitol Visitor Center. Officers removed them from a larger crowd and handcuffed them, according to court documents.

About 40 people have been arrested and charged in the Superior Court with offenses including illegal entry, curfew violations and gun-related crimes, authorities said.

Twitter announced Friday that it had permanently suspended President Donald Trump from the platform for using language that was “highly likely to encourage and inspire people to replicate the criminal acts that took place on the United States Capitol.”

U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly, D-Virginia, says more charges against more people are clearly justified.

“Anyone who participated in the insurgency and occupation of the United States Capitol, which is illegal, should be held legally accountable and brought to justice,” Connolly said.

Larry Cosme, the head of the Association of Federal Law Enforcement Officers, says more charges are justified against more people.

“Anyone who tries to hurt men and women in the law enforcement community, federal, state or local will face serious consequences,” said Cosme.

Federal officials said there was no indication that Antifa was involved.

These people are wanted by the Washington police and the FBI for illegal entry, theft of property and other charges. Click on a photo for more information.



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