Capitol riot suspect accused of swiping attacked officer's hat and wearing it on Youtube
Radio show host allegedly referred to plates, badges and a police jacket as ‘souvenirs’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man accused of rioting on 6 January allegedly stole a baseball cap from a beaten Capitol Police officer and was seen in his own YouTube videos wearing the clothing item, which he called a “souvenir”.
Darrell Neely was accused in court documents on Monday of swiping a baseball cap, name tag, and jacket with US Capitol Police (USCP) branding on it, from an officer who had been sprayed with tear gas.
He wore the stolen baseball cap on his own YouTube channel, FBI investigators allege, where he was a host for Global Enlightenment Radio Network.
A person invited to a video call with Mr Neely on 6 January told federal investigators that he “boasted that he had attacked a [US Capitol Police] officer and had taken the USCP jacket, badge, name tag, and baseball cap from the officer”.
Another two witnesses who worked with him at Global Enlightenment Radio Network also told FBI investigators of what they had seen Mr Neely wearing in video calls on 6 and 7 January.
Trump attacks Colin Powell and enviously complains about ‘beautiful’ media coverage of his death
Capitol riot committee: How lawmakers are investigating the January 6 riot
Biden says Trump aides like Bannon who try to defy Capitol riot subpoenas should be prosecuted
Trump, executive privilege and criminal contempt: Everything we know about the Capitol riot committee
He allegedly called the stolen items “souvenir[s]”, and one of the three witnesses told investigators that he believed the items had been taken from the US Capitol.
According to court documents, the third witness met Mr Neely on the evening of 6 January and was shown a Capitol Police jacket, badge, name tag and baseball cap.
He also was accused of stealing four plates with Congressional branding on.
The officer who the items belonged to, meanwhile, later told investigators that they removed them while decontaminating themselves from tear gas and could not find the items after.
Mr Neely allegedly wore the baseball cap on his radio show following the riot, and CCTV footage appeared to confirm that he was at the US Capitol building on 6 January.
He was charged on 30 September with theft of government property, entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a restricted building and a Capitol building, and demonstrating at a Capitol building.
He was arrested in Washington DC on Monday. It is unclear if he had a lawyer.
Additional reporting by The Washington Post.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments