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The federal government has said an alleged Capitol Hill rioter should be re-arrested after violating his release conditions.
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A judge had ordered Thomas Robertson not to have weapons while awaiting trial.
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Prosecutors say he bought 34 guns and had a partially built homemade bomb in his home.
Federal prosecutors say an ex-cop and Capitol Riots suspect violated his bail conditions by purchasing 34 guns and possession of a loaded M4 rifle and partially assembled homemade bomb at his home , according to court documents.
Thomas Robertson, a former officer with the Rocky Mount Police Department in Virginia, is one of the 545 people who have been arrested and charged as part of the January 6 insurgency so far. The Washington Post was the first to report the latest court filing.
Robertson, who faces four federal charges, was released from prison in January. A judge agreed to release him pending trial, but one of the conditions was that he “refrain from possessing any firearm, destructive device or other dangerous weapon,” according to court documents.
But just four days after Robertson’s release, authorities discovered eight guns, including a Hawken Rifle and Smith and Wesson, at his Virginia residence, according to a motion to revoke Robertson’s release order.
Trial judge G. Michael Harvey warned Robertson of his conditions during a court appearance.
The FBI obtained a search warrant to search Robertson’s Yahoo email account, Venmo account, and Gunbroker.com account, and found a number of transaction records and messages regarding the purchase of guns from fire, according to court records.
The FBI also searched Robertson’s home and “not only found evidence that Robertson had amassed an arsenal of 34 firearms through a [Federal Firearms License] in Roanoke, but officers also found a loaded M4 rifle, ammunition, and a partially assembled bomb at Robertson’s house. “
The FBI interviewed the owner of Tactical Operations, who identified Robertson as the buyer of the guns. The owner told the FBI that Robertson had mentioned that he could not have the guns due to his release conditions, but that Robertson had been in his store handling the guns a week earlier. The owner said the guns are still waiting to be collected.
Prosecutors argued that Robertson had violated his terms of release and should be returned to jail before his trial, adding that his actions “put the public at risk.”
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