Three face conspiracy charges in Capitol siege
FBI says Oath Keepers targeted legislators Jan. 6
details emerged this week as federal authorities continued to round up and arrest some of the hundreds who joined the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol two weeks ago.
A criminal complaint filed Tuesday alleges conspiracy and other crimes against three members of an extremist group, the Oath Keepers. The three have been arrested. The complaint traces how they planned the attack weeks in advance, then coordinated by radio as they moved into the Capitol with precision, wearing helmets, reinforced vests and military-style insignia.
The group communicated via Facebook with someone who might have had inside knowledge, egging them on and directing them where to find legislators who were shielded and protected, the FBI alleges in the complaint.
“All members are in the tunnels under capital seal them in. Turn on gas,” one such message read.
The charges – against Thomas Caldwell of Virginia and Jessica Watkins and Donovan Crowl of Ohio – are among a number of more serious crimes alleged as the riot investigation begins its third week. Those three are among seven charged with conspiracy by the FBI and the Department of Justice.
A list of nearly 100 people arrested includes a diverse group: President Donald Trump supporters, members of farright and anti-government groups, and others whose paths to the Capitol converged in the riot that left five people dead and dozens injured.
It was “a toxic brew of conspiracy theorists,” said Aitan Goelman, an attorney who helped prosecute Oklahoma City bomber Timothy Mcveigh and is a partner with the Washington-based law firm Zuckerman Spaeder.
Among those facing charges in the riot are current and former police officers, a fashion student, grandparents, former athletes, and elected officials.
● Residents of 32 states and the District of Columbia have been arrested.
● Texans lead the way, with 10 arrests. Nine New Yorkers have been arrested and six Florida residents.
● Their ages range from 20 to 70, with an average age of 41.8 years.
● As of noon Tuesday, the list included 85 men and 11 women.
● At least six have been charged with assaulting an officer and three with possession of firearms.
USA TODAY’S list does not include a few dozen who were arrested for curfew violations on the Capitol grounds overnight Jan. 6 and focuses on those accused of entering the Capitol or crimes related to violence or weapons.
Identifying and finding all those who participated is a monumental task. FBI officials are reviewing more than 100,000 pieces of digital evidence. That helped them arrest an average of nine people a day over the past week. The agency is seeking tips on others who have yet to be identified or arrested, including those responsible for the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick.