FBI Criminal Complaint Document
Nathan DeGrave from Las Vegas is observed in this video grab wearing black tactical gear, including what appears to be body armor, a helmet, and a mask/face shield during a protest in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021.
Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 | 11:19 a.m.
One of two men arrested Thursday in the Las Vegas area in connection with the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capital took to social media in the weeks leading up to the incident to encourage others to join in.
According to a criminal complaint filed Thursday by the FBI, Ronald Sandlin wrote on Facebook that “if you are a patriot I believe it’s your duty to be there. I see it as my civic responsibility.”
Las Vegas resident Nathaniel J. DeGrave, 31, and Sandlin were arrested together Thursday at DeGrave’s Las Vegas apartment.
The criminal complaint, which includes images of the men rioting, accuses DeGrave with “knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority.”
The complaint doesn’t list charges Sandlin might be facing.
People protesting the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory over then-President Donald Trump tore down metal barricades outside the Capitol and were met by outnumbered Capitol Police officers in riot gear.
Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, were killed in the violence unleashed after a rally by Trump, who was later impeached for inciting an insurrection.
Hundreds of protesters pushed past the officers and made their way into the Capitol, parading and hollering through the halls, and entering the Senate chamber and lawmakers’ offices.
Authorities used video of the breach to identify suspects, making a handful of arrests over the past few weeks.
About 27 seconds into one clip, Sandlin is identified wearing a bright orange sweatshirt, baseball cap, backpack and carrying what appeared to be camera equipment.
“Sandlin and several other unidentified subjects to become engaged in a shoving match with the officers,” according to the criminal complaint. “While this shoving match transpires, the three (officers) are without backup in a hallway surrounded by what appeared to be at least 20 individuals.”
One of those individuals was DeGrave, who was identified through his driver’s license photo. He is observed “wearing black tactical gear, including what appears to be body armor, a helmet, and a mask/face shield,” according to the complaint.
A third man in their group, Josiah Colt of Boise, Idaho, was arrested Jan. 12.
Colt, like many of the rioters, bragged about his role in social media posts, according to KVBT in Idaho. Later, he was apologetic.
“I didn’t hurt anybody, didn’t take anything, didn’t break anything,” Colt told the station. “My intention was just to go there to have my voice heard. I do love America. Like I said, I apologize. I do not condone the violence that happened there. It is tragic, it breaks my heart about what that turned into.
“I went there because I love America and my intention was just to have my voice heard along with a lot of other people,” he said. “For me I just wanted my voice heard about having fair elections, and yeah, it turned into something that really tragic and that I did not want to happen at all.”
The complaint includes a longer Facebook post in which Sandlin asks for financial help to promote their cause.
The post said, “Josiah Colt, Nate DeGrave, and myself have already booked and paid for our trip to Washington D.C. but we could use your help and support! Every dollar you contribute to us is a smack in the face to Antifa. Every penny is a boot in the ass against tyranny. Every Buffalo nickel is a body slam against China. If you can’t be there in person this is the next best thing.”
DeGrave on Facebook wrote, “it’s time the American people rise and stand up for this country. We’re tired of the corruption.”
The complaint also includes Sandlin’s comments on video during the violent uprising.
It shows that extremist Trump supporters also considered similar actions at statehouses, which prompted local authorities nationally to enhance security measures ahead of Biden’s inauguration. In Nevada, there was one protest of about 30 people, but it was peaceful.
“What is happening to this country is absolutely horrific, absolutely horrific…we are ready to occupy the state capitol if needed to…I urge other patriots watching this too, to be willing to take the
capitol…if you are watching this and you are a patriot and are here, I think it is time to take the capitol and I don’t say that lightly,” Sandlin said in the video.
