Utah attorney: ‘Serious consequences,’ possible charges after DC arrests
Jan 7, 2021, 3:55 PM | Updated: 4:01 pm
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Protesters interact with Capitol Police inside the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — After a violent protest outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC that resulted in at least 68 arrests, it leaves the country wondering: Will any of those arrested face charges or other consequences, and if so, what?
Utah defense attorney and former prosecutor Greg Skordas joined Dave and Dujanovic Thursday morning to unpack what happened, and what he expects will happen to those who were arrested.
Utah man inside the Capitol
One Utah man, John Sullivan, confirmed he was inside the Capitol building when security was breached — standing next to the woman who was shot and killed. However, he said he was not there to protest.
In fact, the known activist said he does not support President Donald Trump and was only there to document history.
“I was not there for protest,” Sullivan told KSL TV. “I was there to just see the situation.”
The Air Force veteran is a known activist across Utah as well as the founder of the civil rights group Insurgence USA. Although he denies any connection to the destruction reported inside the Capitol building, the question remains: Could he face charges simply for being inside?
“It’s a weird answer, but it sort of depends on what his intent was,” said Skordas, former candidate for Utah’s attorney general. “I think anyone that entered that building […] will be charged with at least a misdemeanor, for sort of ‘breaking and entering,’ if you will, for trespassing.”
Charges and consequences after arrests
However, as all offenses vary in severity, so do the charges for those crimes.
For those who posted photos on social media accounts from inside Congressmembers’ offices — most notably, someone with his feet on the desk of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — are more likely to face serious charges. Especially because they’re easily identifiable, according to Skordas.
“[He’ll be charged] if he’s identified, and it seems pretty clearly that he would be, because his picture is very clearly shown,” he said. “People like that are going to be rounded up pretty quickly. They’ll be prosecuted pretty aggressively, I would assume.”
Because the Capitol is a federal building, Skordas said those who were arrested can expect more serious charges. He also predicts many more arrests in the coming days.
“There are going to be some very serious consequences here,” Skordas said. “And there should be.”
Listen to the full episode from Dave and Dujanovic here:
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