Three active-duty members of the U.S. military have been charged with participating in the protests at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Micah Coomer, Joshua Abate and Dodge Dale Hellonen have all been charged in connection with the events.
Coomer allegedly posted photos on Instagram taken inside the Capitol and discussed the possibility of a civil war. His posts were discovered by the FBI, leading to his arrest and charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct and obstruction of an official proceeding.
Abate acknowledged walking through the Capitol with two “buddies” during an interview related to his security clearance. According to the Pentagon, Abate was assigned to the Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion which supports the National Security Agency. He has been charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Hellonen, a Marine Corps reservist, was arrested in Virginia and charged with trespassing on Capitol grounds.
Nearly 1,000 people have been charged so far in the riot and the tally increases by the week. The FBI has been using social media and other tips to identify and track down those involved. With the three active-duty members of the military now in the mix, the case only grows more complex.
It is not yet known what punishments the military members will face for their alleged involvement. The Pentagon has said it will investigate and take appropriate action “in accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice and other applicable laws.”