Former FBI official, a Navy veteran, is 'key figure' in Jan. 6 riot, prosecutors allege

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Legal Issues

Former FBI official, a Navy veteran, is ‘key figure’ in Jan. 6 riot, prosecutors allege

By Rachel Weiner and Spencer S. Hsu
Feb. 11, 2021 at 4:45 p.m. EST

A former U.S. Navy intelligence officer and FBI official from Virginia has emerged as a “key figure” in the federal investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, as U.S. prosecutors alleged Thursday that he organized a group of trained fighters and was in contact with self-styled militia groups including the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and Three Percenters.

In asking a federal judge to detain Thomas Edward Caldwell, 66, pending trial, prosecutors revealed some of the most explicit evidence to date of discussions allegedly indicating coordination and planning among groups under scrutiny for the assault on Congress that left one police officer and four others dead, delayed the confirmation of President Biden’s victory and led to charges against more than 200 people.

Prosecutors allege Caldwell used his military and law enforcement background to plan violence — including possible snipers and weapons stashed on a boat along the Potomac River — weeks ahead of the Capitol insurrection. Caldwell, of Berryville, Va., is charged on counts of conspiracy, obstructing an official proceeding, trespassing, destruction of government property, and aiding and abetting.

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes — identified as Person One by prosecutors in documents charging Caldwell — called on members of the group to “stand tall in support of President Trump” on Jan. 6. and, prosecutors say, Caldwell responded. He had been coordinating with the Oath Keepers since the week after the election, prosecutors allege, when he hosted members at his Virginia home for a pro-Trump protest that turned violent.

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Rachel Weiner
Rachel Weiner tries to cover Alexandria's federal court from a small windowless room with no cellphone access. She sometimes ventures outside to write about crime in Alexandria and Arlington. Follow https://twitter.com/rachelweinerwp

Spencer Hsu
Spencer S. Hsu is an investigative reporter, two-time Pulitzer finalist and national Emmy Award nominee. Hsu has covered homeland security, immigration, Virginia politics and Congress. Follow https://twitter.com/hsu_spencer

[C_U_L8R]

1. What is this Oath they claim to keep?

Cause it sure as hell isn't to our Country or its Constitution. Who knew you could make a vow to pork rinds and AR15's?

[Corgigal]

2. It's not easy to age.

When people look right through you, when you use to believe you ruled the world 20 years ago.
We need to help men , and some women to age. To be thankful that you’re here at all. To leave the place a little better for someone else. Stop thinking only of you, you had your time.

I worked a 911 call that still haunts me. A man , just retired from the service and he wasn’t handling it well. He turned violent on his wife and child. She wanted to divorce him, so she got a attorney. She was on the phone with the attorney when he showed up. Crashed through the front window and chased her around, murdered her in the driveway. Thankfully, the child was at school.

So what did the men at my workplace say? It’s a tough time when you leave a career. I still want to slap them silly. The attorney who on the phone with her, told her to call us. I had to tell him , he needed to talked to our homicide detective.

[pfitz59]

4. losing relevance is especially hard on military folk.

Working daily with expensive toys in a stressful environment. "rank has its privilege" perks. Self-contained Socialist environment with private doctors, stores, clubs and slang. month-long paid vacations... 'retiring' at a young age. Adjusting to 'civilian' life is hard. regular folk don't jump up when you enter the room. 'orders' are likely to be ignored or answered with "why?" or "what did you just say?" its no wonder ex-miltary flocked to "proud boys" and other militia.

[dalton99a]

3. A sign on his property