The accused Capitol riot John Sullivan – an anti-Trump activist who allegedly infiltrated the protest – has a history of violence during protests and ‘thrives on chaos’, a federal prosecutor warned in a failed attempt to lock him up if his DC case goes ahead.
“He thrives on chaos,” DC-based federal prosecutor Bryan N. Reeves told a judge in Sullivan’s hometown, Utah, during a Zoom trial Friday night. He was ordered to be released on house arrest due to objections to the prosecution.
“The accused used messaging programs to set up meetings and set up riots,” Reeves told the judge.
“He will pretend to be different members of organizations, even those who have rejected him,” only to provoke people and cause problems, Reeves argued about the former Olympic skating and self-styled provocateur.
Sullivan also planned to return to the Capitol on the inauguration day, Reeves argued.
This, despite a number of allegations involving no less than three protests.
Sullivan turned himself in to Utah on Thursday on charges of civil disorder, trespassing on a restricted building and violent entry or disorderly conduct after taking part in the violent crowd of President Trump supporters who stormed the U.S. capital last week.
But he is still accused of inciting a riot in Provo, Utah, during a rally that led to the shooting of a motorist, in which he allegedly threatened violence and committed crimes.
During the riot, Sullivan incited other protesters ‘to block public roads’, Reeves said.
The prosecutor said in the case that Sullivan was additionally accused of kicking a civilian vehicle while threatening the woman to ‘punch her ass and bang her head up’, thereby ‘reckless disregard of the health and well-being of innocent ‘civilians’. ”
While in Provo for the rally, he was online to “encourage others in Portland, Oregon to resist the police,” Reeves added.
Magistrate Judge Daphne Oberg, however, ordered that Sullivan, 26, remain free in the DC and Provo cases, but is being held under strict house arrest.
The judge said his internet use and travelers were monitored and that he could not leave his home unless approved by the court.
He must also undergo a mental health evaluation. He is due to attend his next DC court appearance on the Capitol riot, which will be held on Jan. 22 at virtually 1 p.m.