Nine Oath Keepers 'members' are charged with 'planning and coordinating' US Capitol riot including Florida chapter leader who said 'Trump wants us to make it wild!'
Six more people linked to the far-right Oath Keepers militia group have been indicted on charges that they planned and coordinated with one another in the attack on the US Capitol, bringing the total to nine.
The case against those affiliated with the Oath Keepers is the largest conspiracy case brought by the US Justice Department so far in the January 6 insurrection.
The six new people arrested this week are indicted alongside three others who were charged last month with plotting to undo President Joe Biden's victory.
In a superseding indictment, the US charged Ohio residents Sandra Ruth Parker, 60, and her husband Bennie Alvin Parker, 70; Graydon Young, 54, of Florida; Kelly Meggs, 52, and his 59-year-old wife Connie Meggs, also of Florida; and Laura Steele, 52, of North Carolina.
The Department of Justice on Friday announced charges against six alleged members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia. Ohio residents Sandra Ruth Parker, 60, and her husband Bennie Alvin Parker, 70; Graydon Young, 54, of Florida; Kelly Meggs, 52, and his 59-year-old wife Connie Meggs, also of Florida; and Laura Steele, 52, of North Carolina were charged. The image above shows Steele, Connie and Kelly Meggs, and Graydon Young inside the Capitol
Kelly Meggs, 52, is pictured above in this undated photo provided by the Department of Justice
The indictment alleges that the group conspired as far back as November to storm the Capitol, and extensively planned for a military-style attack that even contemplated staging an armed 'quick reaction force' outside the city that would be ready to move if ordered by then-President Donald Trump.
The remaining three defendants - Thomas Caldwell, Jessica Watkins and Donovan Crowl - were previously indicted for conspiracy in January.
In the latest version of the indictment, the government filed additional charges against Caldwell for tampering with evidence by deleting his Facebook posts.
Caldwell and Watkins have pleaded not guilty. Crowl has not yet entered a plea.
Authorities say the defendants prepared for weeks ahead of the attack, attended training sessions and recruited others.
They donned tactical vests and helmets, moved in an organized fashion as they advanced on the Capitol and communicated with one another during the siege, prosecutors say.
The Department of Justice handout photo above includes an arrow pointing to Graydon Young
Graydon Young (left), 54, of Florida and Laura Steele (seen right next to Young), 52, of North Carolina are pictured above
The federal government alleges that Meggs is seen in the purple circle standing opposite Young on January 6 in Washington, DC
Sandra Ruth Parker (left), 60, and her husband Bennie Alvin Parker (right), 70, of Ohio were also named in the indictment
Several defendants formed a 'stack' formation used by military infantrymen, marching the Capitol steps with their hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them, authorities said.
Kelly Meggs, who authorities say is the leader of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers, wrote in a Facebook message in December: 'Trump said It's gonna be wild!!!!!!! It´s gonna be wild!!!!!!! He wants us to make it WILD that´s what he´s saying. He called us all to the Capitol and wants us to make it wild!!!,' according to court documents.
Later that month, authorities say Young reached out to a company that does firearms and combat training about a rifle class for four people, according to the indictment.
The FBI said those indicted were among the Oath Keepers seen moving into the Capitol in a formation known as a 'stack' in which members place their hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them
Authorities say Bennie Parker was in contact with an Oath Keepers member who was arrested last month, Jessica Watkins, leading up to the trip to Washington, discussing things like the uniforms and gear they would bring on January 6.
Authorities say Sandra Parker entered the Capitol while her husband stayed in contact outside.
On January 9, Watkins told Bennie Parker by text she thought the FBI was only interested in people 'who destroyed things,' according to the complaint.
'I'm sure they're not on us see some pics but no militia,' Bennie Parker responded.
Last month, another alleged member of Oath Keepers, military vet Jessica Watkins, was charged with counts including conspiracy, conspiracy to hurt an officer, violent entry, obstruction of official business and destruction of government property
Another man charged last month in the case, Thomas Caldwell, suggested getting a boat to ferry 'heavy weapons' across the Potomac River, authorities have said.
Caldwell's lawyer has called the indictment 'imaginative.'
Messages seeking comment on the charges were sent Friday to lawyers for the defendants.
To date, federal charges have been filed in more than 200 cases involving the attack by a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump, including many with ties to far right groups like the Oath Keepers.
Several members of the Proud Boys, a far-right, male-chauvinist extremist group that seized on the Trump administration's policies, have also been charged with conspiracy and accused of working together during the siege.
Sandra and Bennie Parker appeared in a federal court in Ohio on Thursday and were released on bond pending their next appearance in a federal court in Washington, DC.
An attorney for Sandra Parker declined comment. An attorney for her husband did not respond to a request for comment.
The remaining defendants are due to appear in federal courts in Florida and North Carolina next week.
Attorneys for Young and Kelly Meggs declined comment. Attorneys for the others could not immediately be reached.
Watkins (left) allegedly called herself the commanding officer. She is seen alongside Donovan Crowl, who was also indicted last month
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