Arizona man arrested in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
PHOENIX - Court documents show a Phoenix man has been arrested in connection with the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
According to the documents, which were filed with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Micajah Joel Jackson is accused of Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority and Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds.
Suspect tracked down via social media
Following the deadly riot, investigators say they received tips about two Instagram accounts: thejfkreport and micajahjackson. Investigators believe the accounts belong to Jackson.
Court documents state that agents compared a selfie taken in front of a hotel mirror with a photo that shows Jackson standing in the National Mall while holding an American flag. In the post, Jackson stated the Arizona Proud Noys gave him an orange armband.
FBI officials believe the color orange was adopted by the Arizona Proud Boys.
Throughout the 17-page court document, various photos posted on social media were shared of the moments Jackson went into the U.S. Capitol. Also present were photos of Jackson with a large group of people.
Meanwhile, screenshots from Instagram account stories, which disappear after 24 hours, show Jackson recording himself in the Capitol.
Jackson denies involvement with Proud Boys
A photo released by Federal officials allegedly showing Micajah Jackson (in red square) marching with members of the Proud Boys far-right extremist group
In court documents, investigators say they interviewed Jackson at his home.
"During the interview, the defendant stated in sum and substance that he entered and remained inside of the U.S. Capitol and that he did so without permission," read a portion of the documents.
The report goes on to say that Jackson traveled alone to Washington, D.C. for the rally, and that Jackson denied any affiliation with the Proud Boys.
"The defendant stated that he did not know and was not associated with the Proud Boys prior to January 6, 2021. The defendant further stated that the only reason he was with the Proud Boys on that date was because he had traveled to Washington, D.C., alone. The defendant further stated that he just wanted to meet up with other people from Arizona. The defendant further stated that he is not affiliated with the Proud Boys and does not support their ideology," read a portion of court documents.
Investigators, however, appear to be skeptical of Jackson's denial of affiliations with the Proud Boys.
"While the defendant has repeatedly claimed to not be affiliated with any Proud Boys, there is evidence through his social media connections that contradicts that claim," read a portion of the court documents.
FOX 10 has learned that Jackson self-surrendered to law enforcement on May 18. The AP report states that Jackson’s attorney, Todd Romero, was in court and not immediately available to comment, according to his office.
Jackson's arrest was one of a number of arrests that were announced by the Federal officials, over four months after the deadly riot, which took place as Congress was counting electoral votes from the November election.
The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.
Extended Coverage of the Capitol Riot
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