Month: March 2023

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Defendant Was Among Those Who Clashed With Officers on Lower West Terrace

            WASHINGTON – A Virginia man was sentenced today in the District of Columbia for assaulting law enforcement officers and other charges for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

            Geoffrey William Sills, 31, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, was sentenced to 52 months in prison for obstruction of an official proceeding, assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon and robbery, all felonies.  Sills was found guilty on August 23, 2022, following a bench trial before U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Sills was indicted with eight other defendants, five of whom have been convicted, and three of whom are awaiting trial. In addition to the prison term, Sills was ordered to pay $2,000 restitution and serve 36 months of supervised release.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Sills illegally entered the Capitol grounds after earlier attending a rally at the Ellipse. He joined in the violence that occurred in the tunnel area of the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace. From approximately 2:40 p.m., law enforcement officers maintained a line at the second set of glass doors inside the tunnel leading from the inaugural platform to the entrance to the Capitol. These officers fought a group of rioters — including the defendants — inside the tunnel, protecting the doors, until approximately 3:19 p.m. when they cleared them from the tunnel. Clashes continued throughout the afternoon. 

            Sills joined the crowd at the West Front of the Capitol grounds at approximately 2:13 p.m. He was wearing black goggles and a black gas mask. He joined the line of rioters that pushed police officers back. Sills threw several pole-like objects at the officers as they retreated, while filming the events and posting them to social media. He then followed the retreating officers to the Lower West Terrace and into the tunnel. He wrested away a police baton from an MPD officer. A few minutes later, he exited the tunnel, holding the baton above his head. He re-entered the tunnel several minutes later, moving to the line of officers. He then pointed a flashing strobe light at the police line, disorienting officers. Sills also struck at several officers with the baton, hitting at least two of them.

            Sills was arrested on June 18, 2021.

            This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Eastern District of Texas, and the Eastern District of Virginia.

            The case was investigated by the FBI’s Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Washington Field Offices, which identified Sills as #153 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 26 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 999 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Defendant Rifled Through Senator’s Desk

            WASHINGTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty today to a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Joshua Johnson, 31, of Sherman Texas, formerly of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to obstruction, a felony. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper scheduled a sentencing hearing for July 6, 2023.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Johnson marched to the Capitol Building with other protestors. As he approached, police and rioters were spraying each other with what the defendant believed to be mace. He entered the Capitol at approximately 2:40 p.m. through the Rotunda doors. From there, he climbed a set of stairs and made his way to the foyer outside the Senate Gallery. There, at about 2:43 p.m., he put on a gas mask. He removed the mask approximately two minutes later as he made his way toward the Senate Floor, which he reached by about 2:49 p.m. As he approached the Senate Chamber, defendant’s goal was to “be heard” and influence Vice President Pence “to do the right thing.” He wanted to “stop the steal,” meaning, stop the certification of the Electoral College vote.

            Once in the Senate chamber, Johnson rifled through documents on a senator’s desk and recorded video of himself and others using the senator’s cell phone. By about 3:02 p.m., Johnson left the Senate Chamber. He exited the Capitol through the north doors at about 3:07 p.m. and, just after leaving the building, raised his hands in the air.

            Johnson was arrested on March 23, 2022, in Plano, Texas. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, as well as potential financial penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI Seattle Field Office-Spokane Resident Agency and the FBI Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 26 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 999 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Five Defendants Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Obstruct of the Certification of the 2020 Presidential Election

            WASHINGTON – Six members and affiliates of the Oath Keepers were found guilty in the District of Columbia today for their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

            In verdicts returned today and yesterday, Sandra Parker, 63, of Morrow, Ohio; Bennie Parker, 72, of Morrow, Ohio, Connie Meggs, 60, of Dunnellon, Florida; Laura Steele, 53, of Thomasville, North Carolina, and William Isaacs, 23, of Kissimmee, Florida were found guilty of conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, a felony. Sandra Parker, Connie Meggs, Steele, and Isaacs were also convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiring to prevent an officer of the United States from discharging a duty and destruction of government property, all felonies. All five defendants, along with co-defendant Michael Greene, 39, of Indianapolis, Indiana, were found guilty of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, a misdemeanor.

            Parker, Steele, and Isaacs were, additionally, found guilty of obstructing officers during a civil disorder, a felony, for joining the mob that tried to push against officers down the hallway from the Rotunda to the Senate Chamber; Isaacs was found guilty of one additional count of obstructing officers during a civil disorder for his conduct in entering the building; and Steele was found guilty of tampering with evidence.   

            “With this verdict, the Justice Department has now secured convictions of 14 Oath Keepers members and affiliates for felonies surrounding the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “I am grateful to the prosecutors, agents, and staff for their tireless work on these cases. The Justice Department is committed to holding accountable those criminally responsible for the January 6th assault on our democracy.”

            “This trial was the third trial involving individuals associated with the Oath Keepers for their role in delaying the certification of results of the 2020 Presidential election. Juries have now convicted all defendants tried to date, including convicting 14 of the defendants charged with of serious felonies,” said US Attorney Matthew Graves. “The verdicts returned reflect that these juries have carefully reviewed the evidence; considered each defendant’s individual conduct; and reached the outcomes they concluded were required by law. We are incredibly appreciative of all of their hard work.”

            “This is another important step in holding accountable those who broke laws and tried to interfere with our democratic process during the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “While the FBI will always protect the rights of all citizens to peacefully protest, we will continue to work with our partners to make sure those who violate our laws face justice.”

            “This week, a third jury found members of the Oath Keepers guilty of conspiracy for their actions to block the peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 6,” said David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “These consistent verdicts show that the criminal actions of this group were intentional and bolster the FBI’s determination to hold accountable those who used violence in an attempt to substitute their will for the will of the people.”

            The jury could not reach a verdict with respect to the charge of obstruction of an official proceeding against defendant Greene. Greene was found not guilty of the first and third counts of the indictment, and Bennie Parker was found not guilty of the second and third counts.

            According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants and their alleged co-conspirators coordinated in advance of January 6 and traveled across the country to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in early January 2021. On the afternoon of January 6, around 1:30 p.m., Oath Keepers leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, who was convicted in an earlier trial of seditious conspiracy and related charges, sent a message on an encrypted group chat announcing that Vice President Michael R. Pence would not intercede to stop Congress’ certification of the electoral college vote, and so “patriots” were taking matters into their own hands. Moments later, Defendants Sandra Parker, Bennie Parker, Laura Steele, Connie Meggs, and William Isaacs joined with other Oath Keepers members and affiliates in marching towards the Capitol.  They donned paramilitary gear such as helmets and vests. They passed barricades and Capitol Police officers and entered the restricted area of the Capitol grounds. Then Sandra Parker, Steele, Connie Meggs, and Isaacs joined with ten co-conspirators in placing hands on shoulders and marching up the steps and into the Capitol in a military “stack” formation.

            Once inside, half of the group—including Sandra Parker, Steele, and Isaacs—tried to force their way past riot police officers towards the Senate Chamber. The other half of the group—including Connie Meggs—moved towards the House Chamber, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office. In the words of Kelly Meggs, a co-conspirator who was convicted in an earlier trial of seditious conspiracy and related charges, the group was looking for Speaker Pelosi.

            In total, 29 Oath Keepers members and affiliates were charged as part of the Capitol Breach investigation.  To date, 8 have pleaded guilty, and all 15 who have proceeded to trial have been found guilty. Six are awaiting trial.

            The charges of conspiracy to obstruct Congress, obstruction of Congress, and tampering with evidence carry a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; the charge of destruction of government property carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; the charge of conspiracy to prevent members of Congress from discharging their duties carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison; and the charge of interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison; the charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds carries a statutory maximum of one year in prison. All charges carry potential financial penalties. The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia with assistance provided by the Justice Department’s National Security Division. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country.

            The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, Cincinnati Field Office, Charlotte Field Office, Jacksonville Field Office, and Tampa Field. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. 

            In the 26 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Eric Fru Nji, age 42, of Fort Washington, Maryland, to 63 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy, for transporting firearms with obliterated serial numbers, and for smuggling firearms and ammunition from the United States to Nigeria.  Judge Bennett also ordered Nji to pay a fine of $25,000.  Nji was convicted of those charges on May 6, 2022, along with co-defendants Wilson Nuyila Tita, age 47, of Owings Mills, Maryland and Wilson Che Fonguh, age 41, of Bowie, Maryland, after a two-week trial.

The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.

According to the evidence presented at trial, from at least November 2017 through July 19, 2019, Nji and his co-defendants conspired with each other and with others to export firearms, ammunition and other military typed items from the United States to Nigeria.  Specifically, the evidence at trial established that Nji and his co-conspirators secreted 38 firearms, 28 of which had the obliterated serial numbers in a shipping container that they sent out of the Port of Baltimore in January of 2019.  The guns included sniper rifles, SKS assault rifles (some with bayonets), other rifles and several handguns.  There were 44 high-capacity magazines, two rifle scopes and over 35,000 rounds of ammunition.  As detailed in trial testimony, Nji and his co-conspirators contributed funds for the purchase of firearms, ammunition, reloading materials and other equipment for shipping overseas to separatists fighting against the Government of Cameroon.  The evidence proved that Nji and his co-conspirators concealed the firearms, ammunition, rifle scopes, and other items in duffle bags and heavily wrapped packages inside sealed compressor units, placing those items into a shipping container destined for Nigeria.  Nji and his co-conspirators communicated about their efforts and plans to ship weapons and ammunitions using an on-line encrypted messaging application and code words in order to conceal their activities.

Fonguh, Tita and seven defendants charged in related cases are awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended HSI and the ATF for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron recognized the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement; U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service; Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their contributions to the investigation.  U.S. Attorney Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin, who is prosecuting the case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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