The men were on a ‘road trip’ and armed themselves for protection, the attorney for one of them says.
Protesters loyal to then-President Donald Trump storm the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Four Inland Empire residents who traveled together to Washington, D.C. in January 2021 to attend then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally were convicted on Tuesday, Nov. 7, of various charges related to the breach of the Capitol grounds as Congress attempted to certify Joe Biden’s electoral victory in the presidential election.
All four were also found guilty of misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.The men were members of the Three Percenters, a group that says it believes only 3% of American colonists took up arms against the British during the American Revolution. Some liken the current U.S. government to British authorities who infringed on civil liberties.
Kira Anne West, who represents Warner, declined to comment until after sentencing. Messages were sent as well to attorneys for Mele and Martinez seeking comment. On Jan. 2, Kinnison sent a text message to the three others asking if they wanted to bring a “shotty” and “another long iron” in the SUV that Mele had rented, the indictment says. Mele responded: “Shorter the better. Mine will be able to be stashed under the seat. I’ll bring it. 18″ barrel,” according to the indictment.
Warner then joined protesters climbing the northwest stairs to the Upper West Terrace, where police had been defending moments earlier.At the same time, Martinez, Kinnison, and Mele advanced on a police line on the northwest lawn. Mele called out for the crowd to “Push! Push! Push!” as the officers on the lawn were surrounded, a Department of Justice news release said.
Others then surged on the Capitol wearing tactical gear and carrying cans of bear spray, the release said. Martinez, Kinnison, and Mele were not accused of entering the building.
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