US authorities have levelled the first conspiracy charge against an apparent leader of an extremist group in the January 6 storming of the US Capitol, arresting an alleged Oath Keeper who is accused of plotting to disrupt the electoral vote confirmation of president-elect Joe Biden’s victory and proposing further assaults on state capitols.
Thomas Edward Caldwell (65), of Clarke County, Virginia, was taken into custody yesterday morning on four federal charges, including conspiracy to commit an offence against the United States in the attack on the Capitol.
The conspiracy charge is reserved for offences interfering with or obstructing the lawful operation of government.
Self-styled militia members planned on storming the U.S. Capitol days in advance of Jan. 6 attack, court documents say Spencer Hsu, Tom Jackman, Devlin Barrett
Video shows alleged Oath Keepers at Capitol attack
Replay Video UP NEXT Self-styled militia members from Virginia, Ohio and other states made plans to storm the U.S. Capitol days in advance of the Jan. 6 attack, and then communicated in real time as they breached the building on opposite sides and talked about hunting for lawmakers, according to court documents filed Tuesday. While authorities have charged more than 100 individuals in the riot, details in the new allegations against three U.S. military veterans offer a disturbing look at what they allegedly said to one another before, during and after the attack statements that indicate a degree of preparation and determination to rush deep into the halls and tunnels of Congress to make “citizens’ arrests” of elected officials.
Individuals communicated in real time as they breached the building, talking about hunting for lawmakers to make “citizen’s arrests,” according to new unsealed charges.