Posted on 02/18/2022 5:29:57 PM PST by RandFan
A federal judge refused Friday to free Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes from jail while he awaits trial on charges that he plotted with other members of his far-right militia group to attack the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said federal prosecutors have presented “compelling if not strong” evidence against Rhodes, who has been the group’s leader since its 2009 founding. Rhodes poses a “clear and convincing danger” to the public, the judge said during a remote hearing.
“His ability to communicate, organize are his greatest weapons,” Mehta said, calling Rhodes an “extremely sophisticated individual.”
Rhodes and 10 other people linked to the Oath Keepers are the first to be charged with seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol. Four other Oath Keepers defendants charged with seditious conspiracy remain jailed pending a trial set for July.
Their Jan. 12 indictment also charged Rhodes with obstruction of justice. Prosecutors say he tried to destroy electronic evidence of the alleged plot from his cellphone.
Prosecutors say Rhodes orchestrated the group’s assault on the Capitol with backup from an armed “quick reaction force,” or “QRF,” stationed at a Comfort Inn just across the river in Arlington, Virginia. The QRF was composed of Oath Keepers members from Arizona, Florida and North Carolina and stayed in contact with Rhodes during the attack, according to prosecutors.
“The QRF teams guarded an arsenal of firearms and related equipment and were prepared to speed those weapons into the hands of co-conspirators on the ground in Washington when directed by Rhodes or other conspiracy leaders,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
Rhodes’ lawyers described the QRF as a defensive force....
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
“Rhodes poses a “clear and convincing danger” to the public”
Really?
Maybe just to fascist politicians...
Who saw this coming? Anyone?
Bueller?
Boy I sure didn’t. /s
Has Ray Epps weighed in on this yet?
Totally false charges. Hoping some slight form of sanity will grip the reasoning capacities of people.... This is Totally NOT acceptable.
This guy is “threatening.” Meanwhile, the puppet pedophile in the White House wants to start World War 3, and he’s “not threatening.”
‘kay.
Traitors must swing.
Oathkeepers pose a Clear and Present Danger to the Liberal/RINO Political Class that no longer wish to Represent us but, rather, seek to Rule Over Us.
Fealty to the Founding Principles is a Clear and Present Danger to the Elite’s plans to change our country from the Representative Republic into one Ruled by their Edicts.
“far right”
Where is creation did this judge come from? Certainly not true blood American. Look at the name !!
It’s an atrocity and an abomination IMO, especially in light of so many justice reform laws passed that put violent, habitual repeat offenders back out on the streets to kill again and again.
Born in India, appointed 2014 — aka Barrack damage.
It won’t be long now folks. The commies are going to drop the hammer. Gird your loins.
He’d have fared better if he’d painted his face black, gone into a campaign office, and unloaded a pistol in the direction of a white, Jewish political candidate. Attempted murder will get you out of jail faster than having good organizational skills. If you’re black, and shoot a pistol at a white candidate, you aren’t considered a “clear and convincing danger,” but if you are white, and can communicate with others, then you’re a demon from Hell.
Now the ability to ‘communicate’ and to ‘organize’ are dangerous weapons. Don’t you dare have too much to think or you’ll wind up an enemy of the state.
If they’re smart and we all aren’t sure about that, they will attempt some sort of gun confiscation first
The Communist Purge Continues To Grow Exponentially & Nothing Is Being Done About It! No Big Deal!
Our communist masters know that the Aamerican sheeple will just continue to roll over and spread their collective cheeks...
Bow down!... Obey!... Snitch!...
Get used to it or do something significant about it...
This is revolution time folks! Seriously! How long do we take this s—t?
Also is the "judge that ruled congress can demand Trump’s financial records. Funny how this guy is always involved in causes near and dear to the progressive left, coinicidence?
The capital wasn’t “attacked”
Meanwhile they drop all charges against BLM members who actually set fire to federal buildings with the intent to destroy them.
THIS.
IS.
BS.
They have neither the structure nor the nationwide (illegal) laws or Pres Decision Directives in place for that yet.
Existing LE can’t even handle gang activity.
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