Retired air force officer at Capitol riot intends to “take hostages”, prosecutor says

A retired Air Force officer who was part of the crowd that stormed the US Capitol last week wore plastic zipper handcuffs because he intended to “take hostages,” a prosecutor in a Texas court said Thursday.

“He wants to take hostages. He wants to kidnap, detain, maybe try, maybe execute members of the United States government, “Assistant United States Attorney Jay Weimer said of retired Lt. Col. Larry Rendall Brock Jr. He did not provide details.

The prosecutor had argued that Brock should be detained, but investigating magistrate Jeffrey L. Cureton said he would release Brock at home. Cureton ordered Brock to surrender his guns and said he could only have limited internet access as a condition of this release.

“I need to put you on a very short rope,” Cureton said. “These are strange times for our country and the concerns raised by the government are not falling on deaf ears.”

Brock appeared in court in a light green jumpsuit, a mask, and chains on his hands and feet.

Weimer did not detail a specific plan for Brock but noted that “his previous experience and training makes him all the more dangerous.”

He also read Brock’s social media messages in court, including one posted on the day of the Capitol riot that read, “Patriots on Capitol Hill. Patriots storm. Gunmen must fight their way. . “

Brock was arrested in Texas on Sunday after being photographed on Senate floor during the deadly riot wearing a helmet and a heavyweight vest and zippered plastic handcuffs. The 53-year-old is accused of knowingly entering or remaining in a building or restricted land without legal authorization, as well as violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds.

Brock’s attorney, Brook Antonio II, noted that Brock has only been charged with misdemeanors. Antonio said there was no direct evidence that Brock smashed any doors or windows to enter the Capitol, or did anything violent once inside.

“It’s all talkative. It’s all speculation and conjecture,” said Antonio, who noted Brock’s long service in the military, including his reactivation after 9/11 and his four tours in Afghanistan.

Weimer said Brock will likely face additional costs.

More than 100 people were arrested in the Capitol Riot, with charges ranging from curfew violations to serious federal crimes related to theft and possession of weapons.

The FBI investigated whether any of the rioters planned to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage.

Prior to his arrest, Brock told The New Yorker magazine he found the zipped cuffs on the floor and planned to give them to a police officer.

“I wish I hadn’t picked them up,” he said.

There was no evidence presented that Brock had a gun on the day of the Capitol riot.

Antonio asked an FBI agent who was testifying if it was possible that Brock had just picked up the handcuffs, and the agent acknowledged that was a possibility.

Weimer read a termination letter from Brock’s former employer that said he had spoken in the workplace about the murder of people of a “particular religion and / or race.” Weimer also read articles on social media in which Brock referred to an upcoming civil war and the stolen election to President Donald Trump.

Weimer said Brock’s posts also referred to the far-right, anti-government Oath Keepers and the Three Percenters, a cowardly anti-government network that is part of the militia movement. The Oath Keepers claim to have among their membership thousands of former and current law enforcement officials and veterans.

The FBI agent, however, testified that there was no evidence outside of social media posts that Brock was involved in either of these groups.

Judges across the country, including some appointed by Trump, have repeatedly dismissed cases challenging election results, and Attorney General William Barr said there was no sign of widespread fraud.