Judge rules local woman should remain locked up
Watkins promises not to take part in militia activity if released.
A Champaign County woman accused in the Jan. 6 Washington, D.C., Capitol riot told a judge Friday afternoon during a court hearing that she was embarrassed to be in her position and that she would no longer take part in militia activity if she was freed.
However, her words and her attorney’s arguments weren’t enough for U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta to free her on bond pending her trial, meaning Jessica Watkins, 38, of Woodstock, will remain in a Washington, D.C., jail.
The judge noted that Watkins is a former military member with no prior criminal record and said he thought long about if there were any conditions of bond he could set to ensure the safety of the community. However, he said considering the actions taken Jan. 6, along with evidence that
appears to show Watkins participated in the planning and execution, he couldn’t free her.
The decision came after a twohour hearing in which the judge first ruled the charges Watkins faces allow prosecutors to seek her detention prior to trial. Then the judge heard from a prosecutor and defense attorney about the evidence.
And what troubled the judge
most, he said, was that prosecutors believe a “quick reaction force” was waiting outside the district with weapons. The prosecutor, Ahmed Baset, told the judge that the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s working understanding is that there was such a force. The court then took the hearing into a private virtual room because of a potential ongoing investigation into the claims.
Prosecutors also said that instructions to build an explosive that were allegedly found at Watkins’ home during a search were from an “Anarchist Cookbook” by an author who went by the moniker “The Jolly Roger.” That is the name of her Woodstock bar.
Federal Public Defender Michelle Peterson argued that her client had no intention of building any explosive and that the name of the bar had nothing to do with the Anarchist, but rather that the bar was pirate-themed.
She also disagreed with prosecutors that Watkins was a leader of the Oath Keepers, describing her role as a “consultant.”
Watkins agreed to speak during the hearing. She said she wanted to focus on her business and she renounced her membership to both the Oath Keepers and her own militia, the Ohio State Regular Militia.
“We have a struggling small business, I did it out of the love for my country, but I think it’s time to let all of that go. I think I’m going to focus on my business, your honor,” Watkins said.
Peterson also told the court that Watkins is a trained medic, having served in the military, and she was there to assist people injured during the events.
The government said she shouldn’t get credit for being a medic, as her actions played a role in the incident.
Watkins is due back in court March 12 when she and co-defendant Thomas Caldwell are scheduled for a hearing.