Judge says woman charged in Capitol riot can go on ‘work-related bonding trip’ to Mexico

A woman charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot has been granted permission by a federal judge to travel to Mexico later this month.

In an order issued on Friday, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden granted Jenny Louise Cudd’s request to take a “work-related bonding trip” with her employees to Riviera Maya, Mexico, between Feb. 18-21. 

The request by Cudd, filed earlier this week, argued it was prepaid and work-related for employees and their spouses.

“Prior to the alleged offense at issue, Ms. Cudd planned and prepaid for a weekend retreat with her employees for the dates of February 18 through February 21, 2021, in Riviera Maya, Mexico,” her attorneys wrote. “This is a work-related bonding retreat for employees and their spouses.” 

McFadden noted in his order granting her permission to take the trip that prosecutors did not oppose the trip. 

“The Court also notes the Defendant has no criminal history and there is no evidence before the Court suggesting the Defendant is a flight risk or poses a danger to others,” McFadden wrote.

Cudd, who owns a flower shop in Midland, Texas, was charged on Jan. 12 with entering and remaining on restricted grounds and violent entry or disorderly conduct during the Capitol riot. Video footage emerged of her entering the building and walking around the Capitol Rotunda and Statuary Hall, according to an FBI affidavit.

She also was seen in a Facebook livestream discussing being part of “the new revolution started at the Capitol,” and saying she entered the Capitol. 

“We just pushed, pushed and pushed, and yelled go and yelled charged,” she said in the video. “We just pushed and pushed, and we got it.”

Two days after the riot, Cudd also gave a television interview in which she stated “we the Patriots did storm the U.S. Capitol” and “yes, I would absolutely do it again.”

The Texan was released on bond on Jan. 21 until her next hearing, which took place Thursday. She was ordered to stay away from D.C. except for court appearances or for meetings with her attorney.