Self-proclaimed MAGA Caravan Leader arrested for assault on police during Jan. 6 Capitol riot
On May 26, an Ohio man was arrested in Alabama for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6. That breach disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of counting the electoral votes related to the 2020 Presidential Election.
Kenneth Joseph Owen Thomas, 38, of East Liverpool, Ohio, was charged with federal offenses that included but were not limited to: assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; and engaging in physical violence on Capitol grounds, among other charges. Thomas made his initial court appearance in the Northern District of Alabama on May 26.
According to court documents, Thomas was on the Upper West Terrace at 4:22 p.m. where he was captured on Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) body-worn camera (BWC) footage advancing toward a line of law enforcement and pushing against their shields. As depicted in the footage, Thomas punched and struck the officers with his fist and forearm at least twice. At 4:26 p.m., officers began to dispel the crowd of rioters from the steps. Thomas turned toward rioters and ordered them to “hold the line” against advancing officers, repeating this several times.
In subsequent interviews, law enforcement officers confirmed the attack and stated the individual “was one of the first to come in and start hitting [and] pushing officers on the line.” ~ U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia
A wealth of information including video stills of Thomas at the January 6 insurrection is available in the DOJ’s 17-page “Thomas Complaint & Statement of Facts.”
The FBI writes that Thomas is a self-proclaimed MAGA Caravan leader and organizer going by the name “Pi Annon,” and that he was witnessed ordering his fellow rioters to “hold the line” during that violent onslaught against law enforcement on January 6 at the U.S. Capitol.
In the first 120 days after January 6, approximately 440 individuals have been arrested on charges related to the Capitol breach, including over 125 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.
For more on Thomas’ arrest, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
