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Alabama man reportedly connected to Oath Keepers arrested over alleged Capitol riot participation

by Sarah Polus 03/10/21 07:53 PM ET

A 33-year-old Alabama man with reported ties to far-right militia group the Oath Keepers was arrested on Tuesday for his alleged role in the Capitol insurrection, according to court documents.

Joshua James, of Arab, Ala., was charged with obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, as well as trespassing on restricted building or grounds.

“James and other Oath Keepers stormed the Capitol, forcing a halt to the certification of the Electoral College vote,” the complaint states.

James is described in the document as having been dressed in military gear emblazoned with an Oath Keepers patch, signaling his connection to the group. Photos and videos taken following the storming of the Capitol also show James with a group of Oath Keepers.

“Publicly-available video shows that, after storming the Capitol, James congregated with charged and uncharged individuals affiliated with the Oath Keepers, many of whom had also stormed the Capitol, and some of whom James had acted with throughout January 5 and 6, 2021,” the complaint reads.

Phone records obtained through a search warrant also reportedly placedJames at the Capitol at the time of the riot. The same records show he’d been in contact with other Oath Keepers, many of whom were charged last month.

The Oath Keepers is one of the groups being investigated for their conspiracy to try to stop the Jan. 6 election certification.