By Jay Jackson, Asia Bulletin
15 Jan 2021, 21:19 GMT+10
WASHINGTON, DC - A Utah man has been charged with breaking into the U.S. Capitol last week wearing a bullet-proof vest and a gas mask, and yelling "we ain't waiting until the next election . . . we about to go get that m.......ker," and "it's time for a revolution."
The man, John Earle Sullivan, the leader of an organization called Insurgence USA, was charged in federal court in the District of Columbia on Thursday in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week.
He had been arrested earlier in the day in Provah, Utah.
It is alleged that during the events at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday last week, Sullivan, wearing a ballistics vest and gas mask, entered the U.S. Capitol through a window that had been broken out, pushing past U.S. Capitol Police. Sullivan admits to filming and being depicted in video footage that shows him present, outside of the Speaker's Lobby within the U.S. Capitol, AND at the shooting of a woman by a U.S. Capitol Police officer.
In a video posted on YouTube, a copy of which has been obtained by the prosecution, Sullivan can be seen telling a crowd, over a microphone, "we about to burn this shit down," "we got to rip Trump out of office . . . f...ing pull him out of that shit . . . we ain't waiting until the next election . . . we about to go get that motherf...er," and, "it's time for a revolution."
In an interview with the FBI, Sullivan admitted he was in Washington, D.C. to attend and film the "Stop the Steal" March on January 6, 2021. He claimed to be an activist and journalist that filmed protests and riots, but admitted that he did not have any press credentials.
He said he was at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, when scores of individuals entered it. Sullivan said he was wearing a ballistic vest and gas mask. He admitted he entered the U.S. Capitol with others through a window that had been broken out. he says he followed the crowd as the crowd pushed past U.S. Capitol Police and followed the crowd into the U.S. Capitol.
He admitted he had been present at the shooting of a woman within the U.S. Capitol by a U.S. Capitol Police officer and that he had filmed the incident.
After the crowd broke through the last barricade, and as Sullivan and the others approach the Capitol Building, Sullivan can be heard in the video saying at various points: "There are so many people. Let's go. This shit is ours! F... yeah," "We accomplished this shit. We did this together. F... yeah! We are all a part of this history," and "Let's burn this shit down."
Later, the video includes footage of individuals climbing a wall to reach a plaza just outside the Capitol Building. As individuals are climbing the wall, Sullivan can be heard saying, "You guys are f...... savage. Let's go!"
Sullivan, once inside the Capitol Building, roamed the building with other individuals who unlawfully entered. During one of his interactions with others, he can be heard in the video saying, "We gotta get this shit burned." At other times as he is walking through the Capitol, Sullivan can be heard saying, among other things, "it's our house mother......rs" and "we are getting this shit."
In addition, several times during the video, he encounters law enforcement officers who are trying to prevent further advancement through the building by those who entered unlawfully. In at least two encounters, Sullivan can be heard on the video arguing with the officers, telling them to stand down so that they do not get hurt. Among other things, he can be heard telling officers, "you are putting yourself in harm's way," "the people have spoken," and "there are too many people, you gotta stand down, the people out there that tried to do that shit, they got hurt, I saw it, I'm caring about you."
Sullivan's case is being prosecuted by the U.S Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice's National Security Division. The case is being investigated by the FBI's Salt Lake City and Washington Field Offices, the U.S. Capitol Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department with assistance from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah.
The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.
The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.
(Photo credit: Twitter).
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