Former GOP congressional candidate attended Capitol riot equipped with 'zip ties and surgical trauma shears': feds

A former Green Beret and Republican Florida congressional candidate has been arrested for taking part in the January 6th Capitol riots.

In a new criminal complaint unsealed Friday, an FBI agent accused Jeremy Brown of illegally entering restricted grounds on January 6th after using cell site data to pinpoint his location during the riots.

One intriguing detail of the complaint is that a member of the Oath Keepers militia, a man referred to as "Defendant 4" who pleaded guilty earlier this year to a conspiracy charge, provided evidence that led authorities to Brown.

"According to Defendant 4, Brown and other individuals coordinated their activity via a Signal chat," the complaint alleges. "In the chat, Brown coordinated travel plans and rendezvous points. On December 23, 2020, he messaged, 'We have a RV an Van going. Plenty of Gun Ports left to fill. We can pick you up.'"

Additionally, video footage obtained by the government showed Brown at the Capitol carrying "zip ties attached to his belt, as well as a radio, surgical trauma shears, and tactical gear."

The complaint charges Brown with knowingly entering in a restricted building or grounds and engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct with the intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions.

Read the full complaint here (PDF).