Feds get first indictments in cases related to Capitol riot

Federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C., have obtained their first indictments in connection with the siege of the Capitol last week by demonstrators supporting President Donald Trump.

A grand jury indicted at least three men Monday in cases related to the violent events of Jan. 6.

Mark Leffingwell, 51, of Seattle, was charged with a felony violation of the Federal Anti-Riot Act, a law passed by Congress in 1968 that made it a federal crime to interfere with law enforcement in the midst of a civil disorder.

Leffingwell is also charged with two counts of assault on a police officer and four other charges.

The indictment specifically ties Leffingwell’s conduct to the election-related proceedings underway at the time of the assault, accusing him of obstructing “the certification of the Electoral College of the 2020 Presidential Election by a joint session of Congress.”

Jacob Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli, 33, of Phoenix, was indicted on the same anti-riot charge, as well as obstruction of Congress and other offenses. The QAnon conspiracy follower and self-described "shaman" drew attention for his bizarre attire during the Wednesday assault, where he went shirtless, wore horns on his head, sported red white and blue face paint and covered his shoulders with an animal pelt.

The anti-riot charges are notable because federal prosecutors wielded the same charge against protesters who allegedly committed acts of violence and property destruction during protests last year related to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Lonnie Coffman, 70, of Falkville, Ala., was indicted on a federal felony charge of possession of an unregistered weapon for having 11 Molotov cocktails in his possession when he was arrested last Wednesday near the Capitol. Coffman was also charged with 16 violations of the Washington, D.C., city code.

Coffman remains in custody. A hearing on his possible release is set for Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors filed court papers Tuesday asking that he be kept in custody. The filing includes photos of various weapons allegedly in Coffman's possession, including 11 Mason jars that authorities say contained a mixture of gasoline and melted styrofoam that can produce effects similar to napalm.

"The amount of weapons suggests an intent to provide them to others, as no one person could reasonably use so many at once. The nature and seriousness of the danger that the defendant would pose if released cannot be overstated," prosecutors wrote.

The photos includes images of Coffman's belongings, which included papers with names of lawmakers and other prominent figures. He seemed hostile to some and friendly to others.

"The handwritten messages in the defendant’s pickup truck raise grave concerns about his intentions, and suggest that these weapons were intended to be used in an effort to violently attack our elected representatives," prosecutors wrote.

While Coffman was not charged with any crime involving direct participation in the Capitol unrest, one photo prosecutors submitted to the court appears to show him marching towards the Capitol with other pro-Trump demonstrators.

Leffingwell was released Friday by a federal magistrate judge in Washington, D.C., and allowed to return home to Washington state. Leffingwell was put under a curfew, but is permitted to work. He was ordered not to return to the capital, except for court appearances.

The indictments, returned Monday by a grand jury sitting in Washington and made public Tuesday, will avoid the need for prosecutors to present evidence in court in the coming days to support the initial charges against the defendants.

Prosecutors have brought at least 55 criminal cases in connection with the Capitol Hill violence last Wednesday that left five people dead, terrorized lawmakers and staff, left offices ransacked and delayed the certification of the presidential election by several hours.

On Tuesday, prosecutors in New York announced the arrest there of Aaron Mostofsky, who was pictured during the Capitol riot wearing a fur pelt and carrying a shield. Mostofky, the son of a state court judge, is charged with unlawful entry to the Capitol, entering a restricted building, disordely conduct, and a felony charge of theft of government property.

A criminal complaint issued against Mostofky on Monday alleges that he stole a police shield and a bulletproof vest. The charges were based at least in part on his comments in a New York Post interview last week where he boasted about his role in storming the Capitol.

Mostofky was reportedy arrested at his brother's home in Brooklyn Tuesday morning and made an initial appearance in court there Tuesday afternoon. He was released on $100,000 bond and ordered to stay away from Washington as well as all state capitols.

Erin Durkin contributed to this report.