Oath Keeper brought explosives to D.C. ahead of Jan. 6 attack, prosecutor says
By David Morgan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A member of the Oath Keepers extremist group introduced explosives to the Washington, D.C., space forward of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump, in response to the U.S. Justice Division.
In a courtroom submitting, federal prosecutors alleged that Jeremy Brown, an Oath Keepers member from Florida, drove explosives to a Virginia lodge in his leisure automobile on Jan. 6. A second member of the group, Thomas Caldwell, was later present in possession of a “demise listing” that included the title of a Georgia election official, in response to the doc.
In an announcement forwarded by his lawyer, Caldwell denied the allegation towards him. “The DOJ’s declare that I sought to assassinate election staff is a 100% false and disgusting lie. Sadly, the mountain of exculpatory proof that exonerates me is being hidden from public view by the DOJ by means of protecting orders,” the assertion stated.
A authorized consultant for Brown was not instantly accessible for remark.
The 28-page courtroom doc, filed on Friday in U.S. District Court docket in Washington, particulars proof that the Justice Division is more likely to current later this 12 months on the seditious conspiracy trial of Oath Keepers members, together with Caldwell and the group’s chief Stewart Rhodes. It lists Brown as an unindicted co-conspirator.
The submitting got here because the congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6 riot ready to carry two hearings subsequent week. A listening to set for Tuesday is anticipated to give attention to efforts to assemble Trump supporters together with members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys extremist teams within the Capitol.
The Jan. 6 assault happened as Congress labored to certify President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory over Trump. U.S. Consultant Liz Cheney, a Republican panel member, has stated Trump might be held criminally accountable for allegedly encouraging the assault with false claims that the election was stolen from him.
Greater than 840 individuals been charged with collaborating within the Capitol riot, attacking police and sending lawmakers scrambling for security. About 250 defendants have pleaded responsible, together with some members of the Oath Keepers.
(Reporting by David Morgan)
