A Capitol rioters known as the “QAnon Shaman” has been detained until trial after federal prosecutors in Arizona initially spoke his words and actions during the trial. January 6th siege show that the rioters’ intent was to “catch and murder” lawmakers. Michael Sherwin, the Acting US District Attorney for the District of Columbia, later said there is no “direct evidence” of murder and arrest teams, and a prosecutor later removed that line from the memorandum and urged a judge to ask him. according to The Associated Press.
Jacob Chansley, 33, of Arizona was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 11 for two felonies of interfering with law enforcement while committing civil disorder and obstructing congressional proceedings, threatening congressional officials, and disorderly conduct. Chansley, who is also known as Jake Angeli, was also charged with four felonies.
Prosecutors say Chansley, a known regular at pro-Trump rallies in Arizona, is a “ self-proclaimed leader ” in the QAnon conspiracy theory movement. Images of a shirtless Chansley storming the Capitol with horns, a coyote headdress made of fur and face paint, a megaphone and a spear, quickly went viral on social media. He is being held in a federal detention center in Arizona.
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In a detention memorandum filed Thursday, US prosecutors in Arizona claim that Chansley would be a “continuing threat to the community” and a flight risk if released. While the prosecutors were in the Capitol, Chansley approached Capitol Police Officer Keith Robishaw and shouted that “ this was their house, that they were there to pick up senators, and that they were there to take the Capitol, to congress leaders. fetch ‘. memo reads. “Chansley also used his megaphone to communicate that they were there to take out several US Congressmen,” the filing said.
The memorandum also says, “While Officer Robishaw was trying to contain the crowd, Chansley used his megaphone to set it up.”
Prosecutors originally stated in the memo that “Strong evidence, including Chansley’s own words and actions at the Capitol, supports that the intent of the Capitol rioters was to arrest and murder elected officials in the United States government,” reported The Associated Press. But during a hearing on Friday before Chansley in Phoenix, another prosecutor hit that line.
The prosecutor said the statement at trial may be fair, but added that prosecutors did not want to mislead the court, the AP said.
Acting US attorney for the District of Columbia Michael Sherwin told reporters Friday that while there is no direct evidence of “kill or capture” teams, there are “breadcrumbs” that indicate some degree of coordination between some groups inside and out. the Capitol. Sherwin, whose agency is leading the massive federal investigation into the riot, said it could take weeks or months to understand the rioters’ motives and the level of advance planning.
In their filing, Arizona prosecutors say that Chansley then entered the Senate Chamber with a group of about 25 rioters, posed for photos on stage where Vice President Mike Pence had been minutes ago, and left a note that read, “ It’s just a a matter of time. Justice comes. ”
The next day, prosecutors say that Chansley called the FBI field office in Washington, admitted his involvement and described Pence as a “traitor to child trafficking,” but that he had no intention of viewing the note as a threat. When asked about the meaning of the note, he began 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 “ undercover officers. involved in various types of misconduct. “
“Although he stated that his note posed no threat, the government absolutely disagreed,” the prosecution said.
Chansley was arrested Jan. 9, when prosecutors were unaware of a sealed warrant, prosecutors said he had been driven to an FBI office in Phoenix with the intention of “ continuing his interview. ” He brought the headdress, spear, horns, face paint and megaphone in the trunk of his car, according to the memo.
Prosecutors describe Chansley as a “follower-turned leader” in the QAnon ideology who has embraced dangerous conspiracy theories and described “pending” lawmakers that he called “traitors” in social media posts.
“He has repeatedly displayed dramatic, erratic behavior, an inability to conform to societal norms, and an unwillingness to see the consequences of his actions,” the file read. “He adheres to his own belief system, acts accordingly regardless of criminal consequences, and takes others with him.”
They say Chansley has also vowed to return to Washington, DC for President-elect Biden’s inauguration.
“At this point in our nation’s history, it is difficult to imagine a greater risk to our democracy and community than the armed revolution of which Chansley has made himself a symbol,” the prosecutors wrote.
However, Chansley’s attorney Albert Watkins painted a very different picture in a statement on Thursday. Watkins said Chansley was unarmed and nonviolent and surrendered peacefully to the FBI. The attorney said Chansley and others who entered the Capitol were doing so on behalf of President Donald Trump, calling on Mr. Trump to pardon Chansley and other “like-minded, peaceful individuals who had accepted the president’s invitation with honorable intent”. grant.
“Mr. Chansley is an American; he served honorably in the United States military,” said Watkins. He has zero criminal history. He is a nature lover, routinely practices meditation, is an active yoga practitioner, and eats only organic foods. He took President Trump’s countless messages seriously. He believed in President Trump. Like tens of millions. of other Americans, Chansley felt – for the first time in his life – that his voice was being heard. “
To date, more than 200 people are the subject of investigation and more than 100 are facing local or federal charges in the January 6 riot that killed five people. Hundreds more charges are expected as federal investigators comb tips, video and social media to identify and arrest suspects across the country.
Those already charged face a variety of counts, ranging from curfew violations, unlawful entry and disorderly conduct to theft, assault, and weapon violations. A team of senior federal prosecutors is investigating more serious allegations, including sedition and conspiracy in connection with the “most heinous” acts in the Capitol, Sherwin said Tuesday.
Catherine Herridge contributed to the reporting.