A fourth person from North Texas has been arrested as fallout from the January 6th US Capitol riot continues.
Guy Reffitt, 48, Wylie faces federal charges of Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority and Obstruction of Justice. He is accused of going beyond police barricades and with threatening family members if they cooperated with investigators. Authorities do not believe Reffitt went inside the Capitol.
Reffitt was tracked down using cell phone data and video that placed him on the U.S. Capitol balcony during the siege, according to an arrest affidavit. “…it appears that Reffitt was at or past the police line protecting the Building, and was sprayed in the eyes with some sort of chemical irritant.”
The affidavit says Reffitt is a member of a right wing militia group known as the 3%ers.
“On or about Monday, January 11, 2021,while Reffitt was in Reffitt’s home with son and daughter, Reffitt stated that Reffitt had to ‘erase everything’ because the FBI was now watching Reffitt,” said the affidavit. “Reffitt further told son that if son crossed the line and reported Reffitt to the police, putting the family in jeopardy, Reffitt would have no option but to do Reffitt’s duty for Reffitt’s country, and ‘do what he had to do.’ Son asked Reffitt words to the effect of, ‘Are you threatening us?’ Reffitt responded with words to the effect of, ‘Don’t put words in my mouth.’ Son understood Reffitt’s statements to be a threat to son’s life.”
Reffitt’s daughter told investigators a similar story, but both the daughter and Reffitt’s wife say he often makes such statements but does not follow through on them. They did not feel threatened, although both felt disturbed by the statements, according to the affidavit.
Defending the trespass charge may be easier than putting up a fight against the obstruction charge, according to a former federal prosecutor.
“It’s now whether he committed the crime it’s whether he obstructed the investigation,” said Richard Roper, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. “Many times the actual obstruction is worse than what would happen with the ultimate crime.”
Roper feels Reffitt may have an argument over the initial charge of trespass because there was video of Capitol Police allowing demonstrators to walk past the barriers.
In other developments, Frisco real estate agent Jenna Ryan is asking for a Presidential pardon for her role in the demonstration. Ryan is seen in video inside the Capitol and has recorded video of herself outside. “Me, personally, I do not feel a sense of shame or guilt from my heart, from what I was doing. I thought I was following my President. I would like a pardon from the President.” she said.
Grapevine resident Larry Brock was the first in North Texas to be arrested. Federal prosecutor say he is clearly seen on video on the floor of the US Senate, dressed in military gear with helmet, protective vest and holding plastic restraints. Brock is heard on the video telling others not to remove anything, rather suggesting they were on a mission to observe. A U.S. Magistrate declined to hold Brock without bond, ruling that he was only charged with a misdemeanor offense and there was no evidence that Brock was armed. He has posted bond.
A fourth North Texas resident, troy Smocks, 58 was also arrested for knowingly and willfully transmitting threats in interstate commerce.
The FBI says it has video of anyone who was inside the Capitol and is using cell phone data to pursue suspects. On Friday the FBI Special Agent in Charge of the North Texas office urged anyone who was at the Capitol and who may have gone beyond the barriers to turn themselves in.