The Department of Justice set out the investigators’ findings in a new request to keep the woman, Rachel Powell, in jail before her trial. A federal federal magistrate in Pennsylvania earlier decided shortly after her arrest to release her, but federal prosecutors appealed the decision to the District Court of Columbia, where Powell is being prosecuted, saying she was both a “danger to the community is. and a flight risk. ‘
Powell, of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, is charged with obstruction, deprivation of government property, entering a restricted building or site with a dangerous weapon, entering a restricted building or site, and violent access or disorderly conduct. She admitted in an interview with the New Yorker that she was present at the riot, and used a megaphone to direct rioters to re-enter the Capitol building.
When agents searched Powell’s home, prosecutors wrote that they had found “several saturated cell phones” in addition to “firearm equipment.” They also found what prosecutors said: ‘law enforcement is described as’ go bags’ because they appear to be pre-packaged for an upcoming departure. “
Prosecutors submitted photos to the court, obtained by CNTA affiliate WTAE, showing what agents found at the home. The photos show what prosecutors said they found in the “go bags”, including throwing knives and survival equipment such as adhesive tape, lighters and sails.
Investigators also say they apparently found targets shooting targets with messages on them: “Guns don’t kill people. I do.”; “Better shot than my ex.”; “Prayer is a great way to meet the Lord, but transgression is faster!”
On February 4, CNN and other stores reported that the FBI had searched her home but was still searching for Powell. Prosecutors acknowledge this and say it took 11 hours to detain her, despite notifying Powell’s defender Michael Engle of the warrants on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.
“Afternoon, (Engle) told law enforcement that the accused was near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but would not give an exact location,” prosecutors said.
When she was arrested, Powell did not have her cell phone; Engle, prosecutors say, said during the detention hearing that “she may have been instructed not to bring it along.”
CNN reached out to Engle about the appeal, but has yet to receive a response.
Prosecutors note Powell is a mother of eight; two of them are adults and she shares custody of the remaining six – from 4 to 17 years – with her ex-husband. They allege that on January 6, Powell “left the children unattended at home.”
On January 30, the day before the New Yorker article was published, prosecutors say she “dropped the children off at her ex-husband’s home without any explanation and no indication of when she would return.” Prosecutors say the ex-husband is seeking full custody of the children.
U.S. Attorney General Margaret Philbin confirmed to CNN that Powell is being held before a court hearing today in the District of Columbia, where a judge will rule on the prosecutor’s appeal.
CNN’s Patrick Cornell contributed to this report.