Capitol Riot Suspect Arrested Near Obama’s Home to Remain in Jail Until Trial
A man charged in connection with the Capitol riot will remain in jail until his trial, a federal magistrate judge ruled. Taylor Taranto was arrested near former President Barack Obama’s home in Washington D.C. on June 29. He was found with guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his van. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui agreed with federal prosecutors that Taranto posed a danger to the community if released. Taranto, 37, is charged with misdemeanor offenses related to the Capitol riot and could face additional charges.
Prosecutors argued that Taranto exhibited erratic behavior before his arrest, including making threatening statements about House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. They also highlighted his claims on a YouTube livestream that he intended to blow up the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Taranto allegedly showed up in Obama’s neighborhood on the same day that former President Donald Trump posted what he claimed was Obama’s home address on social media.
Taranto’s lawyer said that the judge’s decision would be appealed. In court papers, Taranto’s lawyer emphasized that he had no prior criminal history, was not a flight risk, and had a stable home and supportive family in Washington state. The lawyer also highlighted Taranto’s mental health struggles, which he reportedly sought treatment for after experiencing trauma during his military service in Iraq.
During the Capitol riot, prosecutors allege that Taranto joined the crowd that breached the building and made his way to the entrance of the Speaker’s Lobby outside the House chamber. Taranto was subsequently spotted by law enforcement a few blocks from Obama’s home and attempted to flee before being chased by Secret Service officers.
Prosecutors disclosed that Taranto’s wife revealed he had come to Washington in response to McCarthy’s offer to provide unseen footage of the January 6 attack. They also described his online activity, including posting a Facebook video from the Capitol on the day of the riot and endorsing a conspiracy theory about the death of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer.
The FBI had been monitoring Taranto’s online activities due to his involvement in the riot. Following his livestream on YouTube wherein he threatened to blow up his van at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, law enforcement intensified efforts to locate him.
Taranto’s case demonstrates the ongoing legal action taking place in the aftermath of the Capitol riot. As defendants await trial, law enforcement and prosecutors continue to investigate the events of that day and the individuals involved. The decision to keep Taranto in jail underscores the seriousness of the charges against him and the concerns about his potential danger to the community. As the legal process unfolds, more details are likely to emerge surrounding the Capitol riot and the people who participated in it.
