By Ewan Palmer
News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A leading member of the Proud Boys is due to appear in court after being arrested on suspicion of being a part of the extremist group who stormed the Capitol last week.
Nick Ochs, leader and founder of Proud Boys Hawaii, a chapter of the far-right group, has been charged with unlawful entry into restricted buildings or grounds after the violent mob consisting of Donald Trump supporters, QAnon conspiracy theorists and far-right nationalists attacked Congress in what lawmakers say was an attempted coup.
During the deadly disorder on January 6, Ochs uploaded a picture of himself inside the building along with the caption: "hello from the Capital lol."
Read More
Proud Boys Boast About Politicians ‘in Absolute Terror’ During Capitol Raid4 min read
Enrique Tarrio Defense Fund Raises $100,000 Via Christian Crowdfunding Site3 min read
Proud Boys Leader Posts Image of Fake ‘Capitol Invasion’ LEGO Set After Deadly Riot3 min read
Ochs, who previously ran as a Republican for Hawaii's House District 22 last year before eventually losing to Democrat Adrian Tam, was arrested on Thursday evening in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
He is due to appear in Federal court in Honolulu on Monday to face the charge. The US Attorney's Office said the government will be seeking his removal to the District of Columbia to face this charge.
Court documents note that Ochs is the founder of the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys and even had the name of the far-right group tattooed on his right arm.
The affidavit signed by FBI Special Agent Roger Dean also notes an interview Ochs gave to CNN in the wake on the attack on Congress.
"We didn't have to break in, I just walked in and filmed," Ochs told CNN last Wednesday. "There were thousands of people in there—they had no control of the situation. I didn't get stopped or questioned."
Ochs also claimed to CNN that he was working as a journalist when he entered the Capitol, and that he didn't go into any congressional offices or the chambers.
Ochs had backed Trump's disputed claims of election fraud on social media sites Twitter and Parler.
On November 16, Ochs retweeted a tweet from Trump in which the president declared, "I WON THE ELECTION!" along with the message: "Show this tweet to leftists and say they won't do s**t when he just keeps being president.
"Don't say it was stolen or rigged. Just say we're doing it and they won't fight back. They are getting scared, and they don't function when they're scared."
Speaking to Honolulu Civil Beat, Ochs' lawyer Myles Breiner said his client was an "easy target" for prosecutors because he ran for office and is a known Proud Boys member.
"I think the Department of Justice needs to be careful not to make him into a martyr," Breiner added.
Breiner has been contacted for further comment.
...
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines