Six more alleged Oath Keepers charged over Capitol riot

Source: The Hill | February 19, 2021 | Harper Neidig

Federal prosecutors announced charges on Friday against six people affiliated with the right-wing paramilitary group Oath Keepers for their roles in the Capitol riot last month.

All six were arrested this week in Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. They are facing various charges, including conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding, which carries a maximum of twenty years in prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office in D.C., all six are being charged as codefendants along with three other people affiliated with the Oath Keepers who had been charged last month.

Graydon Young, 54; Kelly Meggs, 52; and Connie Meggs, 59, were arrested in Florida this week. Laura Steele, 52, was arrested in Greensboro, N.C., on Wednesday. And Sandra Ruth Parker, 62, and Bennie Alvin Parker, 70, were both arrested in Morrow, Ohio, on Thursday.

Authorities had already charged Jessica Marie Watkins of Ohio and two of her companions – Thomas Caldwell of Clarke County, Va., and Donovan Crowl of Champaign County, Ohio – for their roles in the riot. Prosecutors say that Watkins is the leader of the Ohio State Regular Militia, which shares many of its members with the Oath Keepers.

According to the prosecutors, Watkins had been awaiting “activation” from former President Trump in the weeks after the election.

Kelly Meggs, allegedly a member of a Florida Oath Keepers chapter, sent a Facebook message in late December saying “Trump said It’s gonna be wild!!!!!!! It’s gonna be wild!!!!!!! He wants us to make it WILD that’s what he’s saying. He called us all to the Capitol and wants us to make it wild!!! Sir Yes Sir!!! Gentlemen we are heading to DC pack your s***,” according to a Justice Department press release.

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