Jailed Capitol insurrectionist was retired FBI section chief

Thomas Edward Caldwell was arrested on January 19th and charged with five counts for his alleged role in the fatal January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

"Based on communications between Caldwell and other known and unknown Oath Keepers members, Caldwell appears to have a leadership role within Oath Keepers," an FBI special agent swore in an affidavit in support of the criminal complaint and arrest warrant.

In a new legal filing, Caldwell's legal team argues that he is not a member of the Oath Keepers and revealed more about his history.

The lawyers say Caldwell is a retired Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy.

"He has held Top Secret Security Clearance since 1979 and has undergone multiple Special Background Investigations in support of his clearances. After retiring from the Navy, he worked as a section chief for the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2009-2010 as a GS-12. He also formed and operated a consulting firm performing work, often classified, for U.S. government customers including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Army Personnel Command," the defense lawyers submitted.