Proud Boys organizer Joe Biggs arrested as FBI alleges more possible planning in U.S. Capitol breach

Washington Post ^ | 1/21/2021 | Spencer Hue

[EBH]

Proud Boys organizer Joseph Randall Biggs was arrested in Florida on Wednesday after the FBI alleged that members of the far-right nationalist group appeared equipped with walkie-talkie-style communication devices and earpieces that could enable “real-time communication” during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Biggs, 37, of Florida, “did aid, abet, counsel, command, induce, or procure others” to storm the Capitol, the FBI alleged in new charging papers. Biggs and others were among the first rioters to storm into the building, the FBI said. Biggs made an initial appearance in federal court Wednesday, where he did not enter a plea. U.S. Magistrate Judge Embry Kidd of Orlando released him to home confinement after prosecutors did not request his detention. He denied having any knowledge of preplanning of the event in an interview with the FBI, court documents said.

[.30Carbine]

Lord God Almighty, please take up Joe Biggs' case. Send good legal counsel and lots of money for legal expenses. Please keep Joe safe from every harm, surrounded by angels of power. Like Daniel in the lions’ den may he see miracles of your faithfulness and deliverance. Please keep his thoughts intently following the way of Christ. Comfort his family. Set him free. I ask in the name of Jesus.

[NicoDon]

those guys were arrested too. But then the were charged with trespass or petty theft and let go.

[kearnyirish2]

I’ve described to people how if you put a few white guys together and they all dressed the same, within a short time they’d be maligned as “racist” - without ever uttering a peep. If there were multiple ethnic groups/both genders involved, they’d be labeled “far right” instead - again, without ever uttering a peep.

[Wuli]

Let me see - a group plans on attending a big event, and rather than depend on cell phone service they take walkie talkies to communicate with each other. Surely THAT is a crime. /sarc

[glorgau]

And he filmed a movie of Muhammed being disrespected.

[trebb]

Yep - I sometimes say Paul met the risen Christ but all he actually says is “words” were exchanged...Paul was Faith in Action and he seemed to realize even more than those who had walked with Christ, how unworthy he was of his own devices.

[Scrambler Bob]

Real-time communication?

What did they call Joe’s speech via microphone?

Well, in truth he was reading and he ‘wasn’t there’.

[kiryandil]

“The Daily Gaslight”

[joma89]

The fbi only goes after enemies of the democrat party.

[Chgogal]

Hey FBI! What about AntiFa?

[EBH]

I know...like can they look into Portland?

[nhbob1]

cell phones are now ‘walkie-talkies’ LOL

[dadfly]

bookmark

[nonsporting]

Total totalitarian totalitarianism.

Totally.

[Vlad0]

I am curious as to how that is proof of criminal intent? You can bet this will be the new narrative to counteract the fact of the trouble at the Capitol starting before Trump had finished his speech and his supporters beginning their protest walk.

Joseph Biggs, 37, was arrested in central Florida and faces charges of obstructing an official proceeding before Congress, entering a restricted area on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol and disorderly conduct.

I'm not sure "intent" is necessary. He was photographed inside the capitol, so that's "entering a restricted". Every one who 'entered' is therefore guilty of "obstructing the proceeding' I guess, because it was suspended for several hours. Disorderly conduct: climbed in through a window, etc.

They are small, mouse-nuts charges. I guess they will seek incredibly stupid-long sentences for them.

I'm not a lawyer, but just from a civilian point of view: If you go into the Capitol in the way these guys did, (smashing windows) yeah, you broke the law, and you knew you were doing it, and so shouldn't be surprised you are getting arrested for it.

Code Pink, the specialist in disrupting Capitol Hill hearings, always get arrested for it. Four CODEPINK Activists Arrested Today as Pompeo Testified

The use of walki-talkies isn't a separate charge. The guy who smashed the window with a shield was a Proud Boy, if they can show they were communicating, then it's pretty hard to argue he didn't *know* that they had broken into the capital, he thought the guards had just let them in.

Which appears to be his defense. (He said he used the bathroom and left.)

[Vlad0]

I am curious as to how that is proof of criminal intent? You can bet this will be the new narrative to counteract the fact of the trouble at the Capitol starting before Trump had finished his speech and his supporters beginning their protest walk.

Criminal intent by Trump? There was none.

Criminal intent by some of the people who surrounded the Capitol and broke in: Absolutely. When you are smashing a window with a rod or shield to gain access you have intent to do bad stuff, it's not an accident.

Now, could those on the tail end of the snake that wandered into the capitol claim that the didn't know they were doing anything wrong? (Assuming they weren't trying to smash open doors or other nefarious things, but just wandered through and then left).

Yes, I suppose they can. Would I believe them: probably not. I like to think I would have had the presence of mind not to cross the barriers to the Capitol, even after they were trampled. Maybe they were hard to see. Entering the building itself, well at that point, unless you are a complete airhead, then you knew damn well what you were doing. And so should have expected eventual punishment when identified.

[lastchance]

Thanks.