US News

Accused grifter who took part in Capitol riot faces additional charges

An accused left-wing grifter, who claimed he embedded himself among Trump supporters during the Capitol riot for journalistic reasons, was hit with three additional charges in connection with the Jan. 6 siege.

John Sullivan, 26, initially was charged last month with three federal counts of disorderly conduct, civil disorder and being in a restricted building or grounds.

But last week, a grand jury in Washington, DC, indicted him on those counts, as well as three others — obstruction of an official proceeding, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building and demonstrating in a Capitol building, court documents show.

Sullivan, a self-styled civil rights activist who heads the organization Insurgence USA, was filming as he and the mob stormed the Capitol building.

He allegedly posed as one of the rioters and was on tape egging the crowd on as they breached the federal building, “We accomplished this s–t! We did this together. F–k yeah! We are all a part of this history.”

Sullivan has also been accused of sabotaging left-leaning activist groups by infiltrating their circles.

The former competitive speed skater, who tried out for the 2018 Olympics, was released on home detention following his arrest last month.

But federal prosecutors say Sullivan violated conditions of his release — and are now demanding that a judge throw him behind bars until his trial.

Pro-Trump protesters seen on and around Capitol building in Washington, DC
Pro-Trump protesters on and around the US Capitol building in Washington, DC Lev Radin/Sipa USA

They accused the “brazen, vocal” insurrection participant of logging onto Twitter, buying a smartphone and appearing on “Infowars” on Jan. 26 — during which he defended himself against the charges.

“I stand by my actions and what I do,” Sullivan told the conspiracy theory outlet hosted by Alex Jones, according to court papers. “I am definitely not responsible for anything that took place that day.”

Sullivan also urged his Insurgence USA followers to “pack the courtroom” in an email ahead of a hearing.

“They are trying to imprison me for crimes I did not commit at the United States Capitol…. Please show your support by packing the courtroom today,” he wrote, prosecutors said.

The feds said Sullivan’s behavior made it “clear today that this defendant readily poses ‘a serious risk’ of obstructing or attempting to obstruct justice.”

A judge has yet to rule on prosecutors’ motion to detain Sullivan.

His lawyer didn’t immediately return an email.

  翻译: