A US judge on Friday said Oath Keepers militia founder Stewart Rhodes should remain in jail as he awaits trial on a charge of seditious conspiracy for his alleged role in plotting the deadly January 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol.
Mr Rhodes is the most high profile of the more than 725 people charged with playing a role in the attack by then-president Donald Trump's supporters.
His lawyer said there is no evidence that Mr Rhodes conspired to block Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's electoral victory.
But US District Judge Amit Mehta said federal prosecutors have presented “compelling if not strong” evidence against Mr Rhodes, who has been the group’s leader since its 2009 founding.
Mr Rhodes poses a “clear and convincing danger” to the public, the judge said during a remote hearing.
“His ability to communicate, organise are his greatest weapons,” Mr Mehta said, calling Mr Rhodes an “extremely sophisticated individual".
He is one of 11 members or associates of the Oath Keepers facing a seditious conspiracy charge.
Four other Oath Keepers charged with seditious conspiracy remain jailed pending a trial set for July.
Their January 12 indictment also charged Mr Rhodes with obstruction of justice. Prosecutors say he tried to destroy electronic evidence of the alleged plot from his mobile phone.
Prosecutors say Mr Rhodes orchestrated the group’s assault on the US Capitol with backup from an armed “quick reaction force”, or “QRF”, stationed at a Comfort Inn across the river in Arlington, Virginia.
The QRF was composed of Oath Keepers members from Arizona, Florida and North Carolina and stayed in contact with Mr Rhodes during the attack, prosecutors said.
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Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP -
A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP -
The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP -
Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP -
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP -
Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP -
US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP -
Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP -
Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP -
Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP -
Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP -
Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters -
Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP -
Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters
News agencies contributed to this report
