John Earle Sullivan: Insurrectionist who sold videos of Capitol riot has funds seized by government
(John Earle Sullivan, Image credit: YouTube)
John Earle Sullivan, a 26-year-old Utah man with a high social media profile who took an active part in the January 6 insurrection of the Capitol, videotaped and narrated the violence and managed to sell his video to at least six news outlets, including CNN, NBC and The Washington Post. The video captured much of the carnage that took place that day, including “the stark scene of Ashli Babbitt being fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer as protesters tried to smash their way into the House Speaker’s Lobby.”
Sullivan, a.k.a. Jayden X, and Activist John, wearing a ballistics vest and gas mask, entered the U.S. Capitol through a window that had been broken out, pushing past U.S. Capitol Police once inside. The Complaint also alleges that Sullivan admits to filming and being depicted in video footage that shows him present, outside of the Speaker’s Lobby within the U.S. Capitol, at the shooting of a woman by a U.S. Capitol Police officer.
Court papers shared social media quotes from Sullivan when he bragged about the value of the videos he made on January 6, saying that “My footage is worth like a million of dollars, millions of dollars.”
“Dude, this s— is gonna go viral,” Sullivan callously boasted shortly after watching Babbitt fall to the ground in a pool of blood, The New Yorker reported.
Sullivan’s courtroom defense against his charges is that he was in the Capitol on January 6 under the guise of being a legitimate photojournalist – although he cannot produce any legitimate press credentials. Authorities also say that during the insurrection, Sullivan was using a microphone to shout, “Let’s burn this s–t down,” while he was actively breaching the Capitol’s security barrier.
Prosecutors said that Sullivan pocketed nearly $91,000 when he sold the rights to his self-narrated video to news outlets. It was just reported by one media outlet that the U.S. Government seized $62,813 of those proceeds back in April. Other outlets are saying that at least $90,000 have been seized.
Sullivan is the lone left-wing activist identified to date amid a sea of some 800 Trump supporters who invaded the Capitol after Donald Trump delivered his “Stop the Steal” rally speech. Protesters were trying to stop a joint session of Congress from certifying President Biden’s electoral college win, according to The Washington Times.
Although we are just learning that the money he collected for selling his video was recently seized by the government, we already knew that Sullivan was arrested and charged in federal court on January 16 for his active role in the insurrection.
He was charged with eight criminal counts that included weapons charges, knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and interfering with law enforcement engaged in the lawful performance of their official duties.
The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the Capitol riot. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.
The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at https://www.fbi.gov/uscapitol.
For more on John Earle Sullivan, see the video accompanying this article.
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
