The Los Angeles Times covered Henson's activities -- largely conducted under the name "Ben Richards" -- in an October report. But local reporters and activists were aware and of his true name since the spring.
One of the Proud Boys present on the night of Jan. 18 was wearing a hooded sweater with the phrase "stand back and stand by" -- a phrase that President Donald Trump coined during his first debate with Joe Biden as he failed to condemn far-right groups and specifically mentioned the Proud Boys. Others wore hats, shirts or bandannas with the group's name or logo.
Another man, also present on both days, was sporting several, prominent Nazi tattoos, including a swastika. Henson was photographed standing just feet from him on both days.
On the night of Jan. 18, Henson "was kind of unhinged," Stuart recalled. "He was screaming, 'Take your mask off, pussies'... [and] calling people pedophiles." However, on Jan. 21, Henson was no longer part of an angry crowd but a formally dressed speaker in a blue blazer, dress shirt and denim jeans.
"We're making headway on the schools that we've flipped, because we've flipped four in this region," Henson said in a speech recorded by Stuart.
That speech -- far more strategic and calculating in its message than any of the others -- caught Stuart's attention.
"When I posted about him on social media, a lot of people came forward and said, 'This guy harassed me,' and so a group of people started trying to figure out his identity," Stuart said.
Eventually, Stuart said that after finding several clues on social media, a group of activists and grassroots reporters identified the man calling himself "Ben Richards" as Henson.
Since the pair of rallies at the YMCA in January, Henson became a regular at protests as well as public hearings of governments and school boards across Southern California. Between Stuart's photos and social media profiles associated with Henson, it appears that he's been present for at least nine rallies or hearings this year.
According to Marine Corps records provided to Military.com, Henson enlisted in the Marines in November 2004 as a combat engineer. He served until February 2009 and left as a sergeant, having deployed to Iraq and received the Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Navy records then say he enlisted in that service in May 2010 and went through the arduous SEAL pipeline straight out of boot camp, reporting to his first team in 2011.
Tisdale, the Navy spokesman, confirmed that Henson served just over a year at the Navy Special Warfare Development Group -- more commonly known as SEAL Team Six. The unit is considered one of the military's premier special operations units and is often tasked with performing the most complex, classified and dangerous missions.
In March 2023, Henson did an hourlong interview with a Christian-focused podcast, representing himself as Ben Richards. He described himself as being "activated" into protesting various school policies in April 2022, and his group's mission is "to expose, challenge and resist critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and COVID and vax tyranny in our schools."
"It's a Marxist indoctrination," Henson said, seemingly referring to the LGBTQ+ movement.
At one point in the conversation, Henson said he believed a "radical trans army" had targeted women, and as a result he "brought people over to these rallies and they need protection and they need that masculine energy."
Stuart says that over the months covering the far right, she came to know and recognize Henson, and the two engaged in conversations on several occasions. In one instance, in July, Stuart asked the sailor about his association with the Proud Boys.
Initially, Henson said he didn't know what the Proud Boys were. However, in the middle of the taped conversation, a group of people walk close to Henson, leading Stuart to remark, "There's your Proud Boy friends."
"Can they not be my friends?" Henson replied on the recording reviewed by Military.com. "So what? They're my friends."
In a social media post Friday, the "SoCal Parent Advocates" account released a statement that slammed Stuart as a "known violent antifa member" and alleged her photographs were doctored.
In an email to Military.com, Stuart disputed the characterization, which she saw as an effort to delegitimize her work. "I do not belong to any group, [and] I share information with other journalists and researchers," she
PRAYERS TO END THIS ANTI-GOD DEPRAVED BEHAVIOR!!
He attended protests.
If he had been seen supporting Hamas he would have been instantly promoted.
“Another man, also present on both days, was sporting several, prominent Nazi tattoos, including a swastika. Henson was photographed standing just feet from him on both days.”
oh my gosh, he was standing close to a proud boys member! The world is gonna end
So much for freedom of association... And the First Amendment.
“he pushed anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric” = speaking the truth.
The communists used to call them “counter-revolutionaries”.
Investigated? He should be given a chest full of medals for his heroism in fighting the abuse of children by the LGBT community.
“In a report released in December 2021, the Pentagon created new guidelines for activities that are banned....”
And military command wonders why recruitment is down.
This Seal is right.
“In a social media post Friday, the “SoCal Parent Advocates” account released a statement that slammed Stuart as a “known violent antifa member” and alleged her photographs were doctored.
In an email to Military.com, Stuart disputed the characterization, which she saw as an effort to delegitimize her work. “I do not belong to any group, [and] I share information with other journalists and researchers,” she....”
Stuart claims not to belong to any group? I call bull crap on that. She he or it likely belongs to a bunch of groups.
“standing just feet from him” GUILTY!!!