Man Charged in Capitol Riot Argues He's Not Dangerous After Pretrial Release Violation
A man charged for participating in the January 6 Capitol riot is arguing that his parole violation, in which he went against the terms of his pretrial release, was not dangerous and is asking to stay out of jail, his lawyer wrote in a court filing Sunday, the Associated Press reported.
Douglas Jensen, 41, of Iowa, spent six months in jail and told a judge he experienced a "wake-up call" from following QAnon conspiracy theories upon his release in July. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly warned that Jensen could go back to jail if he accessed the internet. On August 13, Jensen was allegedly discovered watching videos on falsehoods about the 2020 election and COVID-19 in his garage in Des Moines, Iowa, by a pretrial services officer, according to the court filing by acting U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips.
"His violation, though a serious misplacement of this court's trust, was not an action that in any way endangers the community," Jensen's lawyer Christopher Davis wrote in a court filing, asking for a second chance for his client.
"Mr. Jensen asks this court to accept his apology and allow him to remain in home incarceration, with a sanction, if this court deems such is appropriate," Davis added.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
Davis wrote in the court filing that Jensen concedes that he violated the terms of his release by accessing a video-sharing website that featured misinformation.
"Mr. Jensen knew that this was not allowed and is prepared to accept the consequences of his actions," Davis wrote, though he told Kelly that Jensen had complied with all of the other terms of his release.
When Jensen was released from jail, he told the judge he had been duped by QAnon conspiracy theories, saying he "bought into a pack of lies."
When Jensen was discovered in August watching videos, Phillips wrote in a court filing seeking Jensen's return to jail.
Phillips wrote that Jensen's swift violation confirms what the government and the judge suspected all along: "that Jensen's alleged disavowal of QAnon was just an act."
Jensen faces charges, including civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding a law enforcement officer. In video of the insurrection, Jensen could be seen wearing a T-shirt bearing the letter Q, a symbol of the QAnon conspiracy theory, as he and other rioters followed Capitol police officer Eugene Goodman up two flights of stairs inside the building.
Davis said Jensen has a mental health evaluation scheduled for Friday and that his urge to access the internet likely will be a topic of discussion. He said Jensen did not post over social media and did not act on or encourage anyone to accept conspiracy theories.
