Arizona Man Accused In Capitol Insurrection To Remain Jailed

By Matthew Casey
Published: Friday, January 15, 2021 - 6:06pm

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Jake Angeli
Hope O’Brien/Cronkite News
Jake Angeli-Chansley at a protest in Phoenix following the November 2020 election.

An Arizona suspect in last week’s violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol wants out of jail while his case plays out. Prosecutors say he’s a flight risk and too dangerous to be free. A federal judge has ordered the suspect held pending trial.

Jacob Chansley’s case now shifts to Washington, D.C., where he’s part of a fast-growing crowd accused in connection with the deadly riot. Roughly 100 arrests have been made. And the number of open cases is near 300.

Steven D'Antuono, FBI assistant director in charge, spoke during a press call.  

“To those of you who took part in the violence, here’s something you should know: Every FBI field office in the country is looking for you. As a matter of fact, even your friends and family are tipping us off,” he said.

Police officers are victims and suspects, said the acting U.S. attorney in Washington. Michael Sherwin touted the arrest of an Arkansas man whose action he called the “height of hypocrisy.”

“That was beating an MPD officer with a flagpole. And at the other end of that flagpole was attached the American flag,” he said during the call.

Sherwin pointed also to the arrest of two police officers from Virginia on suspicion of violent entry and other crimes. Plus a retired firefighter from Pennsylvania, who allegedly threw a fire extinguisher at police.

“And hit one in the head,” Sherwin said.

Chansley was ordered held despite prosecutors having retracted a hint that Chansley aimed to hunt lawmakers.

Sherwin said there is so far no direct evidence of capture and kill teams.