Rocky Mount cops declare innocence in Capitol riots, but federal warrant says otherwise

Two Rocky Mount police officers currently on administrative leave have maintained their innocence after a photo of them surfaced inside the crypt of the U.S. Capitol on the day of the riot, but a federal search warrant details a series confessions and evidence to the contrary.

The federal government has issued arrest warrants against Thomas Robertson and Jacob Fracker on the basis of the two boasting of their presence on Capitol Hill on social media. Both are accused of knowingly entering or remaining in any building or restricted land without legal authorization and being charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Fracker, through his wife, declined to comment but told other members of the community that he had done nothing wrong. Robertson told 10 News he and Fracker had no reason to believe they weren’t allowed to be in the Capitol at the time, and that they were allowed into the building by police from the Capitol. He added that the police even gave the men bottled water and told them to stay on the ropes.

But according to a recently unsealed search warrant, in a video Fracker shared with friends on Facebook, he was seen wearing a gas mask inside the Capitol, saying “S *** was wild lol I got angry in Nancy P’s bathroom after hitting her chest several times. He also shared a video showing what police believe are going around the barriers.

The warrant also detailed how Robertson told a friend that he had been “shot in a ** with a rubber bullet”, sent photographic evidence and later told the friend “I’m going to war. “. He also states that Robertson said ANTIFA was not responsible for the riot.

Investigators filed a warrant because police couldn’t find Robertson or Fracker’s cell phones on them or in their cars when they were arrested. The extracts below are taken from the search warrant.

In another video shared in the same conversation as the first, the warrant states that Fracker appeared to be outside the Capitol. He turns the camera towards himself wearing the same gas mask, then while holding the camera away from himself, a person suspected of being Fracker climbs the steps of the Capitol and passes a barrier. About two minutes after the video starts, Fracker yells “Let’s go!” In a third shared video, Fracker turns the camera around inside the Capitol again and is seen wearing the same clothes and a gas mask. In the background, someone in the crowd shouts “Pelosi!”

According to the warrant, after sending the three videos and a photo of himself to the friend, Fracker said, “We did hahaha it was amazing f ******. Lightning goes off, CS gas, rubber bullets passing. I felt so good to be back in the shit hahaha I was like the 8th person inside the building, shit was f ****** LIT.

Later in the conversation, as the warrant details, Fracker said, “I haven’t been so excited since f ****** Nowzad hahaha.”

The investigator said Nowzad is a city in Afghanistan and said they “believe Fracker was comparing his experiences on Capitol Hill with his time in Afghanistan.”

Fracker also told the friend, “Don’t share them. I just thought you should know there is a hitter here who is trying to make a difference at all costs.

The day after the riot, the warrant says Fracker responded to a Facebook comment made by a friend saying “Freedrom 2020. F *** comies.” F *** tyranny. And get anyone in the way of a free America.

On December 19, 2020, three weeks before the riot, the warrant says Robertson commented on Facebook: “Civility has left me. I’m tired of always taking the high road and being beaten by those who cheat, lie, and steal to win and then allow their media to portray me as the bad guy. I will not be deprived of my rights. I will follow the path that our founders gave us. Repair of grievances (already done) civil disobedience (here now) then open armed rebellion. I have spent the last 10 years fighting an insurgency in Iraq and then in Afghanistan. I’m ready to start one here and know a group of trained, like-minded individuals.

According to the warrant, on December 29, 2020, Robertson responded to a message: “Amen. Now is the time to remind our government where its power comes from. “

On January 4, two days before the riot, the warrant says Robertson commented on another post: “I’ll be in Washington on Wednesday protesting peacefully, the next day … we’ll see.”

On January 7, the day after the riot, the warrant says Robertson sent a message that police believe was a close relative on Facebook. Robertson said: “Safe at home. Bruised bumps and sore eyes from tear gas but hey! I love you!”

According to the warrant, the next day Robertson commented on another post, “Well … F *** you.” Being nice, the police, writing letters and sending emails just didn’t work. The peaceful protests did not work. Millions of FB posts, tweets, and other social media didn’t work. All that’s left is violence and YOU and your “friends on the other side of the island (sic)” have pushed the Americans to this corner. The image of senators curled up on the floor with genuine fear on their faces is the most American thing I have seen in my life. Once … for real … you REALLY realized who you work for.

In another article from the same day, Robertson wrote, “Peace is made. Now is the time for all the boastful “patriots” to buckle up or shut the f *** up. The time of the Facebook warriors is over. The next revolution started 1/6/21 in case you missed it “I’m ready” and the “waiting” guys missed it. “

Robertson continued the same day on a Facebook post, according to the warrant, writing, “The next revolution has started in DC 1/6/21. The only voice these people will now listen to is VIOLENCE. So, respectfully. Buckle up your armor or just stay home. “

On the same day, according to the warrant, Robertson responded to a comment in part: “Respectfully … I was in Richmond 1/20/20 and I was in the Capitol building 2 days ago. I am a member of the VCDL, the NRA and a soldier and policeman on duty. Republican damage control in Washington is trying to say it was ANTIFA. This was not the case. Possible some where there? Of course. Did that cause it ?? Nope.”

The next major message, according to the warrant, came on January 9, three days after the riot. It was the same day the town of Rocky Mount announced it had put the two officers on leave.

Robertson messaged a friend on Facebook sharing the photo of the two standing in front of the John Stark statue, with Fracker turning off the camera. He also shared a photo looking down at what appears to be the Capitol steps.

According to the warrant, he added: “Shot in a ** with a rubber bullet”. Later, adding, “We were stomping on the roof of their vault singing WHOS HOUSE?” OUR HOUSE.”

The next day, the warrant states that Robertson told a friend on Facebook, “I’m going to war. I can’t speak for everyone. The friend asked if Robertson was sent “there?” Robertson replies “No. I’ll fight the assholes who stole our country.

The friend replied, “Where are you going in the United States?”

Robertson responded, as detailed in the warrant, “DC on the 20th for sure.”

On January 11, the arrest warrant says Robertson posted a photo with the words: “By bullet or by ballot, the restoration of the republic is imminent.”

On January 13, the day after Robertson and Fracker were arrested, and the day they appeared before a federal court judge in Roanoke, Robertson told a Facebook friend, “I can die, but I’ll be damned.” before wearing my colors.

It was also the day the FBI attacked Robertson’s house and

The FBI raided Robertson’s home on January 19 the day before they appeared before a Washington, DC judge.Investigators seized a tablet, cell phone, wooden stick, DC transit card, and a laptop computer at Robertson’s home, according to the warrant.

The two men are released on $ 15,000 bail. Initially appearing before Judge Robert Ballou in Federal Court in Roanoke on January 13, the two were ordered to surrender all their firearms, stay out of Washington DC, not participate in any protests, or leave the western district of Virginia without permission.

The federal government wanted the two to wear GPS ankle monitors, but Judge Ballou said they could be trusted on their word to show up to court due to the fact that they are both military veterans and military veterans. police officers.

The two appeared before a federal court judge in Washington, DC on Wednesday, January 20. There, the judge reaffirmed the terms set at Roanoke. The prosecution said police visited one of the men following the initial court hearing and found numerous guns in the house.

They were part of a long line of rioters in front of the Washington DC judge, including Robert Packer, who wore a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt while participating in the riot, and Josiah Colt, pictured hanging on the edge of the riot. ‘a balcony. inside the Capitol before falling to the lower level.

Fracker and Robertson will be back in court on February 2.