John Sandweg, a former acting general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security, told ABC News that Thursday's indictment "confirms that the attack on the Capitol was not just an impulsive act, but was part of a premeditated conspiracy to forcibly steal the levers of power." 6 perpetrators, at any level, accountable under law - whether they were present that day or were otherwise criminally responsible for the assault on our democracy."
"The Justice Department remains committed to holding all Jan. "The actions we have taken thus far will not be our last," Garland said. The deployment of the rarely-used seditious conspiracy charge will pose a major test for the Justice Department in its investigation into the Capitol attack and the prosecution of Rhodes as the founder and self-described leader of the Oath Keepers. The judge set a detention hearing for next Thursday as the Justice Department seeks to keep Vallejo behind bars pending further legal proceedings in his case. Vallejo also made his first appearance before a magistrate judge in Phoenix on Friday afternoon, where a public defender representing him said he plans to plead not guilty to all charges against him. 6 where he discussed making a "recon" trip to the Capitol to probe the "defense line" put up by law enforcement in the wake of the attack, court papers said. Vallejo allegedly sent a message to a Signal chat group the morning after Jan. Capitol.Īfter the riot, Rhodes and Vallejo allegedly met up at a restaurant where they "celebrated their attack" and discussed "next steps," according to the indictment. Vallejo was allegedly part of the "Quick Reaction Force" that was lying in wait at the Virginia hotel.Īlleged members of the Oath Keepers militia group are seen in security camera footage from a Virginia hotel with what prosecutors describe as a cache of weapons, in photographs included in the Department of Justice court filings regarding the Jan. In addition to Rhodes, 63-year-old Edward Vallejo of Arizona was arrested in Phoenix on Thursday and also charged with seditious conspiracy. 6 attack as part of what was already the Justice Department's largest and most complex conspiracy case tied to the insurrection. Nine of those charged in Thursday's indictment had been previously charged in connection with the Jan. 6 prosecutors say a so-called "Quick Reaction Force" of militia members waited on standby in case they were called into the city. In their 48-page indictment, investigators chronicled in detail Rhodes' alleged communications with members of the group over private and encrypted apps, and their alleged accumulation of heavy weaponry and tactical gear that the group is accused of storing just outside Washington at a hotel in Virginia, where on Jan.
I stayed a full week and enjoyed every minute of it, and, I'll be back next year.MORE: Ex-Oath Keepers spokesperson warns right-wing 'propaganda' is 'more dangerous than bullets' Looking for something that came up short was typically a waste of my time. Because of it's location, it's an easy drive or walk to the park where the festivities were going on, plus, minutes away are restaurants, bars, bath and every other service imaginable on Camelback and Indian School. Doug was kept busy, scampering around keeping everything as it should be, beds made up, fresh towels, trash containers dumped.I don't think he hardly ever stopped moving. After enduring months of Idaho mountain winter, the warm sunny deck and perfectly maintained lounges were so nice. As usual, the room was super clean and neat, new flat-screen TVs and the sparkling pool awaited me.
After getting buzzed in, this is a very secure resort, Doug greeted me, having remembered me from last year. Finding it was easy head east off Interstate 17 on Indian School Road to 12th Street, turn left (north), go about 500 yards and there it is on the left. This time I drove the 1350 miles to be there. Having stayed at the Royal Villa last year while attending Phoenix Pride there was no question where I would land this year.