WASHINGTON (AP) – A man who authorities say is a leader of the Oath Keepers far-right militia who helped organize a circle of other extremists and led them in the attack last month The US Capitol has held top-secret security clearance for decades and previously worked for the FBI, his lawyer said Monday.
Thomas Caldwell, who authorities believe has a leading role in the extremist group, worked as the FBI’s chief of section after his retirement from the Navy from 2009 to 2010, his attorney Thomas Plofchan wrote in a motion calling him to court. on urged him to jail pending trial.
The defense said Caldwell, who has denied being part of the Oath Keepers, has had top-secret security clearance since 1979, which required multiple special background checks, Plofchan said. Caldwell also had a consultancy that did secret work for the US government, the lawyer said.
“He has been vetted and found countless times as a person worthy of the trust and confidence of the US government, as evidenced by the granting of top-secret permissions,” Plofchan wrote.
Most section chiefs within the FBI rise through the ranks of the bureau, and it is unclear whether Caldwell would have been hired directly for the position or whether he held other positions at the bureau. The FBI did not immediately comment on Monday night, and Caldwell’s attorney did not immediately answer questions about his client’s work.
Caldwell is one of three people the authorities have described as Oath Keepers charged with conspiracy last month and charged with plotting the assault on the Capitol in advance. He’s been incarcerated since his arrest at his home in Berryville, Virginia, on January 19.
Caldwell’s attorney said he denies ever entering the Capitol and has “physical limitations” that prevent the 66-year-old from entering a building.
Caldwell’s attorney said his client was retiring as a Navy Lieutenant Commander and was a “100% disabled veteran.” Caldwell suffered from complications related to a “ service-related injury, ” including shoulder, back and knee complaints, the lawyer said. In 2010, Caldwell underwent spine surgery, which later failed and led to chronic spinal problems and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, the court said.
Loading documents show messages between Caldwell and the others about arranging hotel rooms in the Washington area in the days before the siege. In a Facebook post from to Caldwell, one of the others says, “Will probably call you tomorrow… mainly because… I would like to know the wtf plan is. You are the man COMMANDER. “
Authorities say the Oath Keepers communicated about where lawmakers were during the attack. At one point during the siege, Caldwell received a message that according to court documents, “all members are in the tunnels under the capital.” “Cut them off on gas in turn,” he said.
Other reports said, “Tom all lawmakers are down in the Tunnels 3 floors below,” and “go through the Secret Annex room doors and down the hallway to the left,” court documents said.
Caldwell is one of approximately 200 people charged so far with federal crimes such as disruption of Congress, disorderly conduct, and assault. A special group of prosecutors are considering whether to file charges against sedition, officials have said.
Several members of the Proud Boys, a far-right male-chauvinist extremist group that has a grip on Trump administration policies, have also been charged with conspiracy and accused of cooperation during the siege.
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Richer reported from Boston.