One of the men charged in the U.S. Capitol riot worked for the FBI and had top-secret security clearance according to his lawyer.
Thomas Caldwell, a Navy veteran, "has held a Top Secret Security Clearance since 1979 and has undergone multiple Special Background Investigations in support of his clearance,” Thomas Plofchan wrote Monday in a motion urging a federal judge to release Caldwell as he awaits trial.
“He has been vetted and found numerous times as a person worthy of the trust and confidence of the United States government, as indicated by granting him Top Secret clearances,” Plofchan wrote.
Authorities say Caldwell is the leader of a paramilitary group, the Oath Keepers, which believes in a “shadow conspiracy” to strip Americans of their rights. He was charged with conspiracy and other federal counts, the first of more than 125 people arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 assault that left five people dead.
The chilling details in the case included communications between the defendants and others.
“All members are in the tunnels under the capital,” the FBI quoted a message sent to Caldwell during the Capitol attack. “Seal them in turn on gas.”
Other messages referred to the legislators as “traitors” and called for “night hunting.”
The Oath Keepers group often recruits current and former military, police or other first responders. Records show that Donovan Crowl, 50, served in the U.S. Marines. He was arrested along with Jessica Watkins, 38. Both are Champaign County, Ohio, residents. It wasn’t clear immediately whether either Caldwell or Watkins has military or law enforcement experience.
An FBI spokesperson in a statement said it is "policy not to comment on personnel matters."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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