It is estimated – but not confirmed – that over 50 “deplorables” involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach are being held in various federal prisons across the country. Several of those incarcerated describe their conditions in keeping with what is known as maximum security. Yet scant data is available about these U.S. citizens who have now been held behind bars for 183 days – most without so much as a bail hearing. These detainees are treated – for all intents and purposes – as prisoners and have been labeled insurrectionists, yet none of them – not a one – has been charged with insurrection.
FBI Director Christopher Wray previously testified before the House Judiciary Committee that the events of Jan. 6 can be considered acts of “domestic terrorism.” So, who are these “domestic terrorists,” and where are they now? The Department of Justice information regarding the accused is scattered, wildly outdated, and almost useless.
Liberty Nation ran a cross-check of the public information published by the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia regarding those accused in the events of Jan. 6 with the Bureau of Prisons inmate search database. Only a handful of those being held could be established as committed. Oddly, even a few known detainees cannot be located on the Bureau of Prisons database. Confirmed as being detained are:
Jacob Anthony Chansley – Englewood, CO Federal Correction Institution
Zachary Rehl – Philadelphia Federal Detention Center (FDC)
Ethan Nordean – SEATAC Federal Detention Center
Said to be released – but still held – according to defense attorneys and family members are:
Edward Jacob Lang
Christopher Worrell
Ryan Samsel
Dominic Pezzola
Another six were ordered detained pending hearings. Whether they were subsequently released is not made clear by the DOJ, and all could still be held in lock up. They are:
Joseph W. Fischer
Christopher Ray Grider
Paul Russell Johnson
Jonathanpeter Klein
Jonathan J. Munafo
Eric Gavelek Munchel
Troy Anthony Smocks
According to our count, five individuals remain on “high-intensity supervision.” This can include home confinement, curfews, drug testing, and location monitoring.
Approximately ten plea agreements have been entered among the 535 individuals charged. Thus far, only one person has been sentenced. Court documents show that Anna Morgan Lloyd was given three years of probation, must pay $500 in restitution, and perform 40 hours of community service. A handful of others have pled guilty to the charges leveled against them but have yet to receive punishment.
In June, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and four of his colleagues sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting information on “the unequal application of the law.” Citing the violent events during the summer of 2020, they pointed out that the federal courthouse in Portland, OR, “has been effectively under siege for months.” Further, they state, “One federal officer [was] killed, 147 federal officers [were] injured and 600 local officers [were] injured around the country during the protests, frequently from projectiles.” The senators went on to make the following comparison:
“DOJ’s apparent unwillingness to punish these individuals who allegedly committed crimes during the spring and summer 2020 protests stands in stark contrast to the harsher treatment of the individuals charged in connection with the Jan 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.”
Equal justice under the law. A fair question, indeed.
~
Read more from Leesa K. Donner.
