Eureka man linked to Jan. 6 riot
Federal authorities say cell phone data places man in US Capitol areas
A Eureka man who entered the United States Capitol during the Jan. 6 mob riot on the United States Capitol is ordered to appear in a District of Columbia court on Dec. 9.
Eureka resident Brent John Holdridge, 56, was identified by federal investigators through cell phone number information, geolocation data and corroborating evidence taken from CCTV systems and Humboldt County arrest reports, as detailed in a case docket filed on Dec. 2 at the San Francisco U.S. District Court.
Holdridge turned himself in to authorities at the Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County on Dec. 2. He was wanted on a warrant signed on Nov. 29. citing four charges: Entering and remaining in a restricted building and grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading and demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
The first two charges have a maximum sentence time of one year, while the latter have a maximum sentence time of six months.
As recounted by FBI Eureka resident agent Randy Watts in the case statement of facts, Holdridge’s presence in the Capitol Hill area during the day of the riot included well-known locations such as the Lower West Terrace, Upper West Terrace and the West Steps.
In some of the stills supporting the agent’s findings, the suspect can be seen holding a flag styled with motifs sympathetic with the Blue Lives Matter movement, such as a Punisher skull filled in with a “thin blue line” design.
“According to the geolocation data/map, it appeared the cellular device assigned number was detected in multiple areas of the U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021,” Watts stated in the report.
The agent describes how he compared arrest photos with surveillance camera footage of the West Steps to locate the suspect.
“I observed the person whose appearance was consistent with that of Holdridge walking inside the Capitol among numerous other people. The person had what appeared to be a rolled-up flag in one hand and in the other hand a cellular device, which appeared to be activated based on its illuminated viewing screen. This specific first-floor area in the northwest portion of the U.S. Capitol was consistent with previously obtained geolocation data obtained for the cell phone number that was subscribed to Holdridge,” the statement of facts reads.
In an interview with the participant at the Humboldt County Probation Department on Sept. 29, he confirmed his presence.
“He refused to answer whether or not he entered the Capitol building, and stated that he did not steal anything, touch or assault anyone, or damage any property while he was at the Capitol that day,” Watts wrote in his account.
On Dec. 5, 2020, Holdridge was ordered to report to serve a four-month sentence as part of an unspecified criminal case in October of that year, Watts wrote, but was granted permission by a Humboldt County senior probation officer to travel to Louisiana to be with his ailing mother. The failure to appear at the county jail led to a warrant for his arrest to be issued.
Holdridge has been arrested on previous narcotics and firearm charges in Humboldt County.
A December 22, 2017 press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office detailed the arrest of Holdridge and another man at the Bear River Casino parking lot while on felony searchable probation. A search of their room led to a deputy finding a .22 revolver, 3.5 ounces of heroin, 14 grams of meth, 21 pounds of marijuana, 31 grams of concentrated cannabis and 37 Hydrocodone pills
Following this search, Holdridge was booked and accused of being felon in possession of firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, violation of probation, possession of a controlled substance while armed and possession of controlled substances for sales.
On Feb. 3, 2020, Eureka Police Problem Oriented Policing team members conducted a probation search on Holdridge’s apartment on 16th Street. The operation found 62 pounds of cannabis, 14 ounces of meth and equipment to manufacture cannabis concentrates. A search on a Fortuna storage unit leased by Holdridge found more cannabis and military-style body armor.
The Victorian fourplex building searched had other families with small children living in it.