Current:Home > News4 California men linked to Three Percenters militia convicted of conspiracy in Jan. 6 case -NextFrontier Finance
4 California men linked to Three Percenters militia convicted of conspiracy in Jan. 6 case
View
Date:2025-04-14 04:23:16
WASHINGTON (AP) — Four California men linked to the “Three Percenters” militia movement have been convicted charges including conspiracy and obstruction for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Erik Scott Warner, 48, of Menifee,; Felipe Antonio Martinez, 50, of Lake Elsinore,; Derek Kinnison, 42, of Lake Elsinore,; and Ronald Mele, 54, of Temecula, were found guilty on Tuesday after a trial in Washington’s federal court, according to prosecutors.
They were convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding — the joint session of Congress in which lawmakers met to certify President Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election.
Attorneys for Martinez and Warner declined to comment, and emails seeking comment were sent to an attorney for Mele.
Kinnison’s lawyer, Nicolai Cocis, said he is disappointed with the verdict and they are considering all available legal options.
“Mr. Kinnison is a patriotic citizen who wanted to show his support for President Trump, who he believed was the rightful winner of the 2020 election. He regrets his involvement in the events of January 6,” Cocis said in an email.
Prosecutors say the men were part of a Three Percenters militia in southern California. The Three Percenters militia movement refers to the myth that only 3% of Americans fought in the Revolutionary War against the British.
They were charged in 2021 alongside Alan Hostetter, a former California police chief, right-wing activist and vocal critic of COVID-19 restrictions, who was convicted in July in a separate trial. Another one of their codefendants, Russell Taylor, pleaded guilty in April to a conspiracy charge.
The four men joined a telegram chat with Hostetter and Taylor called “The California Patriots - DC Brigade” to coordinate plans for coming to Washington. Taylor posted that he created the group for “fighters” who were expected to bring “weaponry” and body armor with them to Washington on Jan. 6, according to prosecutors.
Warner, Martinez, Kinnison and Mele drove cross country together days before the riot. On Jan. 6, Warner entered the Capitol through a broken window. Meanwhile, Martinez, wearing a tactical vest, and Kinnison, who was wearing a gas mask, joined rioters on the Capitol’s Upper West Terrace, according to the indictment. Mele, who was also wearing a tactical vest, proclaimed “Storm the Capitol!” in a “selfie” style video on the stairs of the building, prosecutors say.
Warner and Kinnison, who were accused of deleting the “DC Brigade” chat from their phones after the riot, were also convicted of tampering with documents or proceedings.
Nearly 1,200 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Over 800 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury or judge after a trial. Approximately 700 of them have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving terms of imprisonment ranging from three days to 22 years.
veryGood! (25814)
Related
- Sam Taylor
- New British Virgin Islands governor faces heated debate over sovereignty and corruption
- Justice Department investigating Democratic Rep. Cori Bush over alleged misuse of campaign funds
- Bill to make proving ownership of Georgia marshland less burdensome advanced by state House panel
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- New British Virgin Islands governor faces heated debate over sovereignty and corruption
- Toyota warns drivers of 50,000 vehicles to stop driving immediately and get cars repaired
- Tickets to Super Bowl 2024 are the most expensive ever, Seat Geek says
- Taylor Swift Cancels Austria Concerts After Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack
- Kim Kardashian Shares Painful Red Markings on Her Legs Due to Psoriasis Flare Up
Ranking
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Who is Victoria Monét? Meet the songwriter-turned-star nominated for seven Grammys
- Chita Rivera, trailblazing Tony-winning Broadway star of 'West Side Story,' dies at 91
- Navy veteran Joe Fraser launches GOP campaign to oust Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar in Minnesota
- Small twin
- Yells for help lead to Maine man's rescue after boat overturns: Lobstermen saved his life
- NASCAR Cup Series 2024 schedule from The Clash and Daytona 500 to championship race
- Who's performing at the 2024 Grammys? Here's who has been announced so far.
Recommendation
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson returning to Detroit despite head-coaching interest
The arts span every facet of life – the White House just hosted a summit about it
Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson mourns death of wife Melinda Ledbetter: 'She was my savior'
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Tom Brady merges 'TB12' and 'Brady' brands with sportswear company 'NoBull'
Raquel Leviss Suggests Tom Sandoval Masterminded Vanderpump Rules Cheating Scandal
Groundhog Day’s biggest star is Phil, but the holiday’s deep roots extend well beyond Punxsutawney