The Story:
The rioters who broke into the Capitol, some with zip ties that indicate that one or more abductions were planned, soon thereafter returned to their hometowns around the United States. Many (more than 140) have been arrested piecemeal, in the weeks since the notorious takeover, by the federal authorities in their respective districts.
Background:
There are at least four charges that are common to many of the criminal complaints being filed: (1) civil disorder; (2) knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; (3) knowingly engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct in any restricted building or grounds; and (4) violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Of course, as a matter of law every charged individual is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Thing to Know:
One of the individuals arrested was Eric Gavelek Munchel, know colloquially as the “zip tie guy.” Photos capturing Munchel in the Senate chamber show him in military style clothing as well as those zip ties. A search of him home in Tennessee turned up that gear, as well as multiple weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a drum-style magazine.
Munchel was taken into custody in Nashville on January 10.
Munchel’s mother was with him in the Senate chamber and she has also been arrested and charged.
