Washington (CNN) – A federal grand jury in Washington, DC, on Friday approved the first charges in the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, according to sources briefed on the matter.
The charges are still sealed under orders from a federal judge. Plans were prepared Friday for anyone charged to be taken into custody as soon as Monday, the sources said. It is unclear what the charges are.
A spokesman for the special counsel’s office declined to comment.
Mueller was appointed in May to lead the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
Under the regulations governing special counsel investigations, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who has oversight over the Russia investigation, would have been made aware of any charges before they were taken before the grand jury for approval, according to people familiar with the matter.
On Friday, top lawyers who are helping to lead the Mueller probe, including veteran prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, were seen entering the court room at the DC federal court where the grand jury meets to hear testimony in the Russia investigation.
Reporters present saw a flurry of activity at the grand jury room, but officials made no announcements.
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Exclusive: A federal grand jury has approved the first charges in the investigation led by special counsel Mueller https://t.co/ZVvg1WCjMs pic.twitter.com/fXsVZUILni
— CNN (@CNN) October 28, 2017
Exclusive: First charges filed in Mueller investigation https://t.co/w6GMH7W1J7 https://t.co/RRqTCMl16A
— CNN (@CNN) October 28, 2017
CNN legal analyst @PaulCallan: “The only reason to seal a criminal indictment is if there is fear the target will flee.”
— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) October 28, 2017
Hot dog! Hope that will be the first of many. I always believe that there was something there. Are we guessing who it is? My guess is either Flynn or Trump Jr.
Once one of the crooks is arrested the rest of them may start clamoring to cut a deal. Now we can understand the finger pointing at the Clintons the past few days.
WSJ confirms: first charges filed in Mueller probe, at least one defendant expected in custody by Mondayhttps://t.co/MEvGPG5K93
— erica orden (@eorden) October 28, 2017
I’m going to guess some low level person. The worker bees are usually the easiest to prosecute. Plus, if an underling realizes he or she might be taking the weight for a higher-up, that person may be willing to cut a deal for immunity or a lighter sentence in exchange for information to prosecute whoever is or was in charge.
You could be right. It will be interesting.
Twas the night before indictment, when all thro' the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. pic.twitter.com/kmXjKJ6NNq
— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) October 30, 2017
Well, I was wrong. Manafort turned himself in this morning.
Wonder if he will start naming some big names. Manafort might not want to take the weight for someone higher up.
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