https://www.ptnewsnetwork.com/john-sullivan-released-from-jail-without-bail-just-conditions-yep-you-read-that-correctly/
John Earle Sullivan, 25, appeared before Magistrate Judge Daphne A. Oberg just before 5 p.m. local time for a detention hearing. The very same hearing other protesters involved with the Capitol Riots had, including Cleveland Grover Meredith, the man who threatened to shoot Nancy Pelosi,Lonnie Coffman, the man who parked his truck full of Molotov Cocktails in D.C the day of the riots. Unlike these two other suspected terrorists, Sullivan, who was facing a slew of Federal charges, was released without bail on conditions.
He made his initial court appearance Friday via video conference, flanked by not one, but two paid attorneys, where, after some back and forth, he was released on multiple conditions of release, including remaining at his home when he isn’t going to work, religious services, or court appearances. Oberg and was advised that prosecutors intend to try his case in the District of Columbia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Reeves said Sullivan poses as members of protest groups online and cited video evidence of Sullivan engaging in violent protests.
Despite prosecutors’ objections, Judge Oberg determined the threshold was not met to keep Sullivan in jail while his case proceeds, and he is expected to be released from jail with conditions.
The U.S. Attorney in Washington D.C. charged Sullivan earlier this week with three counts: knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority, violent entry or disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and interfering with law enforcement.
Federal prosecutors allege that Sullivan can be seen telling a crowd, over a microphone, “we about to burn this shit down,” “we got to rip Trump out of office . . . f*cking pull him out of that sh*t . . . we ain’t waiting until the next election . . . we about to go get that motherf*cker.”
In one video, Sullivan can be heard cheering on the crowd as they broke through the final barricade before the Capitol and saying: “We did this together… We are all a part of history.”
Sullivan also filmed a video which he shared with media outlets showing the shooting of protester Ashli Babbit. In at least two encounters, Sullivan can be heard telling officers to stand down, so they don’t get hurt and saying “the people have spoken,” according to an affidavit.
Earlier this week, he told The Associated Press that he was only there to document the events at the U.S. Capitol and didn’t attend the riot as a Trump supporter.
Prosecutors requested to have three days to prepare for a detention hearing, but Judge Oberg stated, “ First you have to meet the threshold for a detention hearing.”
“We don’t get to consider the danger to the community until we determine if there’ll be a detention hearing. Can you establish it?” Judge Oberg asked.
Prosecutors stated that there is no combination of conditions that would protect the public but that they had not provided a detention memo and that witnesses were not available to present in court.
Judge Oberg stated that she needed to see the evidence that he was a danger.
Bryan ReevesStated, “He incited a riot in Provo. He attended his court hearing by Zoom DC the day before these offenses. The video from Provo shows the defendant urging confederates to block traffic. He said, “I will f*ck your head up.”
Prosecutors attempted to present evidence of Sullivan’s activities when he was at a separate protest in Oregon, to which Judge Oberg was quick to rebuff.
When discussing employment when released, Sullivan admitted that his employment was his activism group, Insurgents USA. Sullivan stated that he will find more traditional employment but that he would not dissolve his activism group.
Prosecutors then sought a restriction to be put in place that would limit his internet use, especially social media. Judge Oberg agreed with Sullivan’s counsel that all of his first amendment rights should not be taken away.
Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Reeves argued that Sullivan not have access to social media and that his internet access is monitored to limit his ability to incite violence, arguing that he uses social media to incite riots and “thrives on chaos.”
“I am going to impose an Internet monitoring program. You will co-pay.” Judge Oberg stated. “I’d like to tell you to stay off social media, but I don’t know which ones. You give them notice in a week of sites. Figure it out among yourself. File a notice with the court if necessary. You are not required to shut down Insurgents USA LLC, but no employment there.”
Not only did the judge release him, but he also allowed him to still associate with his activism group as long as he is not using it for employment, despite the fact that the very group has organized violent riots throughout the country, at least one resulting in a citizen being shot.
Judge Oberg released Sullivan from jail with the following conditions:
Maintain or actively seek verifiable full-time employment as approved by the pretrial officer
Abide by restrictions on place of living and travel
Maintain residence and do not change without permission
Not to travel outside the state of Utah without permission
Not to travel outside the U.S. without approval
Not associated with the victim, witness, or co-defendant in the case
Report to the pre-trial officer
Prohibited from possessing any weapons
Undergo a mental health evaluation
Have a GPS monitor
Detained at home, restricted to home expect for employment, religious service, medical treatment, and other court-approved activities
Extensive monitoring of his social media and online activity
