Three men identified as Floridians are among 13 individuals arrested for federal crimes involving the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that Matthew Council of Riverview, Michael Curzio of Summerfield and Douglas Sweet were charged as part of an on-going investigation into the destruction of the building.
“Today’s charges are just the beginning of the FBI’s ongoing efforts to hold those responsible for the criminal acts of violence and destruction that unfolded during the U.S. Capitol building breach on January 6th,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a press release. “To be clear, what took place that day was not First Amendment-protected activity, but rather an affront on our democracy.”
The FBI, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are cooperating in the probe. Five people died as a result of the assault on the Capitol building, including Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who reportedly was injured while physically engaging with protesters.
According to the press release, Council was charged with “knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.” Council allegedly unlawfully entered the Capitol building and pushed a law enforcement officer who stopped him. Curzio and Sweet were both charged with “knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.”
A Capitol Police report also listed John Anderson of St. Augustine among those charged with unlawful entry. The Department of Justice release said Sweet is from Florida, but a Capitol Police press release said Sweet is from Hudgins, Va.
Numerous Floridians headed to the so-called “Save America March,” including a group sponsored by Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins, who said in a mostly-plagiarized letter he signed and posted on his Facebook page–the letter was addressed to the Florida congressional delegation–that it included 160 “of my neighbors who want to show their support for this action.” The action referred to was a call for investigations into “the widespread election irregularities,” a claim that has been repeatedly debunked and rejected by some 60 court cases and around 90 judges across the county, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
–FlaglerLive and News Service of Florida
LORI says
ARREST JOE MULLINS AND UNSEAT HIM!
Deborah Coffey says
This is great. Lock them ALL up. Make them pay the price.
Steve says
FloriDuh low IQ we are taking over Good old boys. Patriots lmao. I dont think so. I have to say that some of these Conspiracy theorists are so far out they missed their calling. They should be writing Mystery, Detective, Government Conspiracy Novels. Obviously plenty of interest. Best sellers in the making.
B&B says
This is very upsetting.
Joe Mullins need to be removed from his position.
Lies and not a good example of a community leader.
The town needs to file ethic charges against him immediately.
Mike Cocchiola says
Maybe Trump will pardon them all. Sort of like a mass baptism except they’ll be dunked in his bullshit. But Trump’s a coward so more likely he’ll turn on them to save his sorry ass.
The F.B.I. is coming for all of you Trumpsters who participated in the insurrection. Wait by the door for the knock. You, too Joe. You are as much to blame as any Trumpster who entered the Capitol. I hear you chickened out.
John the Baptist says
Yes sir. Mullins is a coward. All mouth and bluster. His only weapon is that he threatens to sue anybody who goes after him. He is a true turd!
Lou says
Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins claim of election investigation request seems to be partizan. WHY?
Jimbo99 says
Considering the backlash many elected types at the State level that attended are facing here and it being 2 days later as January 8th, was Joe Mullins or any of the contingency that he was affiliated with that were in attendance, were they actually inside the White House during this ? Present that line of questioning under oath ?
DUH says
The Rasmussen poll, one of the most accurate polls of the 2020 election, finds President Trump’s approval is actually rising after Wednesday‘s protests. DUH !!!!
Carmen says
Joe Mullins is a disgrace.. Lock his sorry ass up! Arrest him! Unseat Joe!
snapperhead says
When Florida sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.
Makeitso1701 says
Hillary Clinton was absolutely correct when she described some of the trump supporters as a “basket deplorables”, but I think she was being too kind in describing them as “deplorables”. They are a lot more then that, I would add to that basket, such as thugs, terrorists’, unamerican…., I could go on and on.
Thank God we will have Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House and finally get back to civility and competency!
MRC says
Joe Mullins and Victor Barbosa should both be immediately removed from office for inciting and promoting the overthrow of the legally elected officials in a blatant act of sedition against the government of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Please join with others in contacting the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to bring about needed charges against these 2 (among others), because heaven knows, the Flagler County Commission and the Palm Coast city council will not act to remove them. Regardless of whether or not they were among those stormed the Capital building (which has been yet to be determined), they are still very culpable of an open act of sedition and promoting the overthrow of a legitimately elected government.
Disgusted Citizen says
Why does Joe Mullins still have a Council position? If calling for the beheading of Liberals was not enough to get him dismissed from his position, I don’t know what is…oh wait then he spearheads a group that was part of the raid on the Capital that cost lives? Seriously why is this deplorable still allowed to “represent” our county? Flagler is going to make National news and NOT in a good way if this disgraceful behavior is tolerated. How can we get our local government to do the right thing?
Mythoughts says
Joe Mullin needs to be arrested and removed from office immediately. He is a danger to our democracy, as well as Flagler County.
What does it take for Flagler County Commissioners write a letter to the Governor and have him removed immediately.
Steve says
But He is a Political UNIC. So what’s your point. Just proves the lack of knowledge of his Constituents. He lost the Election, Congressional Majority. In his words “Who cares about Polls”. He couldnt run for dog catcher of course except for Flagler County.
Steve says
Twas the Capital Building
TR says
To answer your last question. It takes a piece of paper and a pen. Or an e mail address and a keyboard and your fingers. Your choice. LOL
Jmq says
Thank you Georgia
James M. Mejuto says
Unfortunately and time is really in our disfavor, we cannot force Mullins out of office. If he resigns, he resigns but otherwise we have to be vigilant.
Concerned citizens must attend every commission meeting ready to challenge this Republican trumper.
Come election time, if he is running again, we must vote him out of office and do the same with all
republicans running for office.
We must recognize Florida has had enough Republican control and repeat what Georgia has done!
It is time to bring sanity and good government to our State.
James M. Mejuto says
re: Disgusted Citizen . . . The only way to “get our local government to do the right thing” is for good people
to attend every commission meeting and challenge this creep, Mullins on issues he supports. We know
those issues are not in our interests but those of industry and business groups.
Then, the final stroke of the pen is to cast your vote against the creep and all the other Republicans running for office. Our vote is a vote for Democracy!
Jane Gentile-Youd says
To ‘Mythoughts says” It takes b………..s for the commissioners to write the Governor …………. Does that answer your question?
wow says
Mullins doesn’t feel he represents any of us who are not Trump supporters. That’s not how politics should work on a local level. He should represent all citizens of Flagler County. Even we liberals who he thinks should be beheaded. This kind of talk and behavior is disgusting. He is traitor to America and to Flagler County. It’s disgusting what they did to the Capitol. Where is the outrage people used up on broken store windows? No outrage for the sanctity of the actual seat of democracy, what supposedly makes American “great” in first place?
Sherry says
Heather Cox Richardson is an American historian and Professor of History at Boston College, where she teaches courses on the American Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, the American West, and the Plains Indians. She previously taught history at MIT and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This is just a small part of her documentation:
More footage from inside the attack on the Capitol is coming out and it is horrific. Blood on statues and feces spread through the building are vile; mob attacks on police officers are bone-chilling.
Reuters photographer Jim Bourg, who was inside the building, told reporters he overheard three rioters in “Make America Great Again” caps plotting to find Vice President Mike Pence and hang him as a “traitor”; other insurrectionists were shouting the same. Pictures have emerged of one of the rioters in military gear carrying flex cuffs—handcuffs made of zip ties—suggesting he was planning to take prisoners. Two lawmakers have suggested the rioters knew how to find obscure offices.
New scrutiny of Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally before the attack shows Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani, Representative Mo Brooks (R-AL), Don Jr., and Trump himself urging the crowd to go to the Capitol and fight. Trump warned that Pence was not doing what he needed to. Trump promised to lead them to the Capitol himself.
There are also questions about law enforcement. While exactly what happened remains unclear, it has emerged that the Pentagon limited the Washington D.C. National Guard to managing traffic. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser requested support before Trump’s rally, but the Department of Defense said that the National Guard could not have ammunition or riot gear, interact with protesters except in self-defense, or otherwise function in a protective capacity without the explicit permission of acting Secretary Christopher Miller, whom Trump put into office shortly after the election after firing Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
When Capitol Police requested aid early Wednesday afternoon, the request was denied. Defense officials held back the National Guard for about three hours before sending it to support the Capitol Police. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, tried repeatedly to send his state’s National Guard, but the Pentagon would not authorize it. Virginia’s National Guard was mobilized when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the governor, Ralph Northam, herself.
Defense officials said they were sensitive to the criticism they received in June when federal troops cleared Lafayette Square of peaceful protesters so Trump could walk across it. But it sounds like there might be a personal angle: Bowser was harshly critical of Trump then, and it would be like him to take revenge on her by denying help when it was imperative.
Refusing to stop the attack on the Capitol might have been more nefarious, though. A White House adviser told New York Magazine’s Washington correspondent Olivia Nuzzi that Trump was watching television coverage of the siege and was enthusiastic, although he didn’t like that the rioters looked “low class.” While the insurrectionists were in the Capitol, he tweeted: “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!” Even as lawmakers were under siege, both Trump and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani were making phone calls to brand-new Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) urging him to slow down the electoral count.
Patti Powell says
I agree, he should be gone…….
Mary Fusco says
[Warning: The commenter is repeating a discredited conspiracy theory pushed by Trump and repeatedly discredited. Do NOT use this site to spread disinformation.–FL]
Well now, that is pretty funny. Biden needs an ear piece with someone telling him what to say during a speech. Harris will be president very soon. Good luck to us all. Only 4 MORE years to go.
Daniel Jolly says
He should resign.
Concerned Citizen says
Curious as to why Joe Mullins and let’s not forget Victor Manuel Barbosa made an out of the way trip to Washington D.C. Especially with all the issues they have to deal with here in their own county. And with Covid19 numbers being at an all time high. Seems that time would have been more productive representing their constiutents. And not participating in open insurrection.
People died that day due to the actions of these so called “patriots. Anyone remotley involved should be facing serious Federal charges. Including our two “esteemed” representatives. The only reason either one of them had to be in that volatile environment was to promote and encite violence.
These two are not the type of people I want representing me. Not that I voted for either one to begin with
Exasperated says
A spine!
Lou says
Joe Mullins was legally elected. He represents the people who voted for him. Mullins is not dangerous to our Democracy people who voted for him are!!!!!!
Steve says
It will be 8 minimum and dont worry the time will pass quickly with so much to do including damage control from previous Administration
Steve says
The low class as 45 calls them and still bow to his nonsensical BS. IFF the likes of the throw back Flinstones Grand Pooba garbed “Patriot” are the epicenter of his Legion I am not worried of Losing future conflict only the continuous comical pathetic illusion of group hallucinations and rhetoric. Observed by the sane all over the World probably wont end well for the extreme Right. IMO
Steve says
With the continual Radicalization and fragmentation of the GOP IMO The Party hasnt a snowballs chance in Hell of a Majority in 8 years nevermind 2024.
Steve says
Can one imagine IFF 45 had one the popular vote BUT was voted out do to Electoral College votes The outcomes reversed from 2016 the outrage. Now The largest most secure transparent Election in History. A Party loses and Insurrection and Anarchy. Really are a bunch of cupcake losers.
Lastly I would say the route some are considering will be dispatched swiftly and not to your liking nor expected outcome.
David Schaefer says
Agree 100%
Sherry says
Lou. . . may I suggest that both Joe Mullins AND those who put such a monster in office are dangerous to our democracy and society. . . right along with ALL others who are part of the alternate reality of fear, hate, lies and conspiracies. . . including trump.
More from Heather Cox Richardson. . . history is being written for future generations, as events unfold and facts come to the surface:
After Trump on Wednesday night tweeted that there would be an “orderly” transition of power, on Thursday he began again to urge on his supporters.
With the details and the potential depth of this event becoming clearer over the past two days—Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s wife, Virginia, tweeted her support, and state lawmakers as well as Republican attorneys general were actually involved—Americans are recoiling from how bad this attempted coup was… and how much worse it could have been. The crazed rioters were terrifyingly close to our elected representatives, all gathered together on that special day, and they were actively talking about harming the vice president.
By Friday night, 57% of Americans told Reuters they wanted Trump removed from office immediately. Nearly 70% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s actions before the riot. Only 12% of Americans approved of the rioters; 79% of Americans described the rioters as “criminals” or “fools.” Five percent called them “patriots.”
Sherry says
Friday, January 8
Race/Topic (Click to Sort) Poll Results Spread
President Trump Job Approval NPR/PBS/Marist Approve 39, Disapprove 58 Disapprove +19
President Trump Job Approval Rasmussen Reports Approve 48, Disapprove 50 Disapprove +2
President Trump Job Approval Politico/Morning Consult Approve 38, Disapprove 60 Disapprove +22
Direction of Country Politico/Morning Consult Right Direction 24, Wrong Track 76 Wrong Track +52
Thursday, January 7
Race/Topic (Click to Sort) Poll Results Spread
President Trump Job Approval Reuters/Ipsos Approve 40, Disapprove 58 Disapprove +18
Direction of Country Reuters/Ipsos Right Direction 21, Wrong Track 66 Wrong Track +45
Bill C says
From the Rasmussen website about the 2020 election: “Rasmussen Reports, one of the most accurate pollsters in the 2016 election, shows a significant narrowing in its White House Watch poll, from a 12-point Biden lead two weeks ago to a 3-point lead a week ago. Now it’s Trump by one.” Maybe they were measuring who had the biggest flags?
capt says
YOU want Mullins removed, follow these state rules
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0100/Sections/0100.361.html
Susan Grine says
I agree that everyone who participated in Wednesday’s terror attack on her capital must be held accountable for the five people who lost their lives including the police officer. They should be held for criminal offenses charged for murder and locked up they are no different than the normal average Joe you want to play with fire you have to pay the consequences enough is enough with these people on these politicians who think the law doesn’t pertain to them well it does
Danko’s Tweet says
Ed Danko made a statement via Twitter about what’s important to him following the tragic events at the capital last week.
He says he’s leaving Twitter (yet is still on it) because Twitter removed Trump from its platform.
He called Twitter – not the people that invaded the capital by force – anti-American. In rushing to Trump’s defense, he also revealed a lack of a basic understanding of how the the constitution operates.
Silence as to the fact that what happened is unacceptable by any measure. No expression of sadness about the people who were injured or died.
Just outrage that Trump can’t tweet.
Agkistrodon says
I believe all involved in breaching the Capitol should be arrested and prosecuted. I just have to wonder if the rush to blame all Republicans, and all the rhetoric that has been spouted on here, isnt that not the same as blaming all people of Islamic faith for 9/11? Seems to me that judging all, based on the actions of a few is prejudging, is it not? I am no Christian, but I believe there is an old Christian saying, goes something to the likes of, Let they who are without sins coast the first stone. Seems a lot of people view themselves as perfect examples of model moral citizenry………..so go on and cast your stones. But dont complain when something in your past surfaces, and those throwing stones with you now, start hurling them at you.
Lou says
If you don’t want to be included in a group, such as Republicans, Democrats, Socialist or Communist, register as a NPA. No Party Affiliated. Many of us fed up with both political parties have done that.
Agkistrodon says
And here I thought we were not supposed to judge all by actions of a few. That is called PREJUDICE. Congratulations on admitting it.