A Jan. 6 defendant was arrested this week after allegedly making social media posts threatening people involved in former President Trump’s legal battles and FBI agents who investigated the defendant’s case.
Prosecutors say Bradley Nelson, who was originally charged in March 2023, also allegedly threatened Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Charles Austin, a federal judge in Maryland, on Monday ordered Nelson detained, court documents show. He is due in court next week to determine whether detention will continue until his trial in December.
“Although there is no history of violations of previous releases, these statements highlight an actionable threat to the community – at least, to the authorities involved in the investigation,” Austin wrote. in your order.
Prosecutors said Nelson last year posted images of Garland, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) and a Georgia state judge with apparent crosshairs drawn on their heads.
The Georgia judge appears to be Scott McAfee, who is overseeing Trump’s criminal election interference case in Georgia.
Court documents indicate that the post about James, who filed a massive civil fraud lawsuit against Trump that led to a $464 million judgment, also included a threatening comment: “give every [expletive] thing I have to watch this [expletive]Her head exploded, or at least the back of her head exploded.
And in June, prosecutors say Nelson made a threatening post about Barrett, Trump’s latest Supreme Court nominee.
The post reportedly came about an hour after the Supreme Court restricted the use of an obstruction charge levied against hundreds of defendants on Jan. 6, including Nelson. Barrett wrote the dissent, supporting prosecutors alongside the court’s two liberals.
“I pray to God with all my [expletive] heart that someone cuts out [expletive] throat from ear to ear, you worthless piece of [expletive],” Nelson’s comment read, according to court documents.
The magistrate judge, however, raised greater concerns about the defendant’s alleged posts about two FBI agents involved in his case. Nelson allegedly posted two videos directing angry and threatening comments at the agents, including offering to get “in the MMA ring” with them.
“The Court does not disregard or minimize, in any way, statements regarding state and federal judges and attorneys general,” the judge wrote. “These comments and rhetoric are even more offensive and violent than the officer-focused statements. Furthermore, they support concerns that Nelson may resort to violence in the future.”
The judge added: “However, the Court is mindful of its directive to consider not only the nature of any alleged threats, but also Mr.
In connection with the Jan. 6 riot, Nelson faces charges including obstruction, entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct. Prosecutors say Nelson, before Jan. 6, expressed a desire to commit violence against then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and others. He pleaded not guilty.
A court docket shows Nelson is scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday in Washington, D.C., before the judge overseeing his Jan. 6 case to determine whether to keep him behind bars until his trial, which is scheduled for start on December 10th. .
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
