By Richard Sullins | richard@rantnc.com
Just before the second anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, a federal district court judge in Washington has continued for another 60 days the case of a Sanford man charged in connection with the insurrection, signaling that discussions over a possible plea agreement have been taking place.
Judge Carl J. Nichols granted a motion filed jointly by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and public defenders acting on behalf of 38-year-old David Joseph Gietzen, who was arrested on May 11, 2022, in Sanford and charged with eight counts of violating federal law stemming from his alleged participation in the insurrection. The motion continues the case now until February 17, 2023.
Gietzen was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington last year on charges that arose from the riot, including one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon, which appears to have been a long metal pole that he can be seen carrying in several photographs contained within the indictment.
Two other charges were levied against him for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, one for engaging in physical violence on Capitol grounds while Vice President Mike Pence was there, and four others related to his participation in the mob violence. Two of the charges are felonies.
A status hearing on the case had been scheduled for December 16. But two days before that proceeding could take place, U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves joined with public defenders Lisa Costner and Ira Knight to request a postponement that seeks to address three pending issues.
First, Gietzen’s attorneys are continuing to review a large amount of video footage and still photographs that were made as events unfolded that afternoon following former President Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally at the ellipse behind the White House during the noon hour. The crimes committed at the Capitol that day were among the most photographed in American history.
Secondly, the U.S. Department of Justice is now providing to the defense through the discovery process other items that were taken into evidence, including data that was contained on Gietzen’s cell phone at the time he was taken into custody.
The joint motion suggests there is still another motivating factor in play. In addition to providing more time for the defense to review the large amounts of digital evidence collected, the additional two months “will provide the parties additional time to continue negotiating a potential pretrial resolution.”
If a plea agreement can be reached that is acceptable to the court, DOJ, and the defendant, that could bring Gietzen’s case to a speedy conclusion before the next scheduled hearing set for February 17.
At least 964 people have been criminally charged to date as a result of their participation in the insurrection and of that number, at least 465 have pleaded guilty to the charges they faced. The FBI is continuing to comb through those mountains of evidence so that all who perpetrated the violence will be brought to justice.
Another Sanford man, Jere Dement Brower, is set for trial in Washington on March 13. Brower was arrested on the grounds of the Capitol at 7:15 p.m. on January 6 for violating a curfew that went into effect at 6 p.m. that day.
A third local man, Lance Grames, was also charged with a curfew violation along with Brower. But Grames agreed to perform community service work through a deferred prosecution agreement and the government dropped charges against him after he fulfilled his obligations. Grames was killed on November 12 when he was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of North Horner Boulevard and Carthage Street in a hit-and-run incident.
Caught on camera
The FBI first heard of Gietzen on January 16 – 10 days after the insurrection – when it received a report about text messages in which Gietzen and an unnamed brother said that they wanted to meet up with others at the U.S. Capitol on January 20 as President Biden was being sworn in. His brother remains uncharged to this point.
The DOJ’s statement of facts in the case says in the reported text messages, “their plan was to force their way in the Capitol building to force Congress to hold another election, and that the Gietzen brothers were also at the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.”
An FBI agent was able to reach him by telephone on January 19, and Gietzen said he and his brother were en route to Washington for the inauguration at that very moment but that they had no plans to commit any acts of violence.
By the day following the attack on the Capitol, the FBI had begun to assemble on its website a collection of photographs that contained images of unidentified persons believed to have been involved in the violence. Several still and motion pictures contained the image of a man with shoulder-length brown hair, a beard and a mustache, a distinctive green and blue jacket, jeans, and a set of knee pads. In many of those pictures, the man can be seen wearing a white football-type helmet.
Gietzen told the agent during the January 19 call that the brothers had attended the protest in Washington on January 6 but did not make it to the Capitol because of the large crowd. But multiple photographs contained in his case file show Gietzen, wearing his green jacket and scuffling with police as they attempted to hold the line in defense of the legislators and staff members inside the building.
The pictures also show Gietzen on the exterior terraces on the West Front of the Capitol mere feet from the entrance of a tunnel where officers were making a last stand to prevent the rioters from entering the building. He was standing adjacent to the location where Rosanne Boyland of Kennesaw, Georgia, was trampled to death by fellow rioters trying to enter the Capitol.
Others show him, pole in hand, appearing to strike the plastic shield being held by an officer on the steps leading to the Capitol’s west front. Digital imprints on the pictures and videos show that Gietzen appeared to be involved in the insurrection from 2:13 to 2:31 p.m. on January 6. A federal court may soon decide whether his actions during those 18 minutes amounted to criminal conduct.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, with investigation conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Raleigh Resident Agency of the Charlotte Field Office.
Until they charge the police officer with murder of Ashley Babbitt, all charges should be dropped on every one else.
Live by the stupid.
Die by the stupid.
Maybe Babbitt should have complied with the officer. She’d still be alive.
Come on, Dale! Back the blue!
If she broke in you’re home she would need shooting too
Serious prison time for this traitor to the nation is called for. 5-10 years should do it. I’m honestly surprised there were not more Babbits. The cop was 100% justified in the shooting.
Nothing you said is based on any factual evidence and your response makes you look ignorant. Provide facts for your comments. You can’t.
Did anyone in these videos get any jail time?
https://youtu.be/Mr0i6piW_ak
https://youtu.be/TFO95zzCciE
Did anyone if the following videos get charged?
https://youtu.be/TFO95zzCciE
https://youtu.be/KbnEiTsiqtA
https://youtu.be/8LlWRa7Pxa8
If you believe that walking in a government building with flags, security letting them in to begin with, breaking some stuff, taking selfies in government offices is an insurrection you’re an idiot and no absolutely nothing about history, this is what the Rant starts 2023 with, hot garbage
*know
How juvenile, par for the course, smh
As I remember , the rioters did not walk in peacefully, they pushed, shoved, trampled, etc
Ok Tommy, were you asleep when all this was happening on Jan 6th? Maybe you didn’t have a TV, and missed the highlights. I tried to include reference a video showing actual footage, but evidently the rant does not allow that. Go to the most popular video site that starts with a “Y”. Search for “WATCH: Rep. Raskin presents graphic video timeline of Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol”. It is the one from PBS.
Go to the 9 minute mark to see what was happening the moment Babbit was dispatched. The 11 minute mark will show you the peaceful tourists being welcomed in by guards. I’m honestly surprised we didn’t end up with a couple hundred Babbits.
So many people were led astray by a known, habitual liar. I can find some forgiveness for those who, after seeing the evidence of the big lie, have admitted it was all a fake plan by the former to stay in office. All the red hatters who continue to support or downplay the actions of the 6th, are traitors to our democratic republic.
After what happened on the 6th, republicans can no longer claim to be the party that Backs the Blue. They only say that to make themselves feel better. If they did, they would have admitted what happened, and who was causing it.
Eff all the MFers who support the traitors.
Where are the facts that prove your claim? Oh right, they don’t exist and once again you look like an idiot.
We tried to tell you.. dummy
Many triggered libtards in Sanford, damn shame 😅😂🤣
Many delusional right-wingers in Sanford. Now that’s a bigger damn shame! Watch the video and tell us what you see if you got the cojones. Otherwise, sit back down chump.
You ever noticed that anyone who uses the word “triggered” is an idiot
Your delusional in your claims and you think your always right in your assumptions. Your a snowflake and way too sensitive to understand how the Government actually works. Come down from your self indulgent high horse and join the rest of society in a civilized discussion, you may learn something, but your so closed minded that is impossible.
For Jackson: Your uses of “your” in your comment is not 100% correct. Specifically your first, third, fifth “your” should have been “you’re” not “your”. Hope this helps. 🙂
Want to see some real riots just watch Trumps inauguration. I tried posting videos from YouTube but liberal folks that run the Rant won’t allow it. I’m not saying everyone behaved properly but it’s nowhere close to trumps inauguration and riots of 2020
We haven’t deleted any comments on this post. If we had, it would be dumb to leave this one up. But there it is. Not sure what to tell ya.
I’ve had several post get deleted.
Hey everyone we hear at The Rant want to let everyone know we are Far Left and we support Fake Media.
👍🏻 🤣😂😅 👍🏻
If you’re really the REAL Rant bud… then explain to me why my father beats me for being pansexual. Checkmate, pal.
*here
I guess Trying to Help is an English Major, or at least thinks he/she/it is. The last thing I care about is a person who tries to be funny, and the only funny thing about them is they actually believes their opinion matters to me. It does not so try and help someone else who needs it….I am Perfect and if I’m not at least I’m better than you .
The people on this video should be punished
https://youtu.be/kUyM8HSYYuM
So here’s the problem with this fake mislabeled footage. ALL of the “riots” and destruction that was shown, was from the BLM movements, when they decided that violence and destruction was the answer to honor a criminal who accidently died from a fentanyl overdose, and completely brought his death upon himself and not the Police misuse of unnecessary force. Those police officers did their jobs as they were supposed to, but everything got the typical media slant and if they were not found guilty, more riots and destruction would have occurred. Those police officers are nothing more than sacrificial pawns in order to silence a bunch of cry-babies who have nothing better to do than complain about injustice, racism, and being oppressed constantly. Injustice only occurs when the innocent are found guilty. Racism is something that doesn’t even exist anymore but the Left and media need to keep it at the forefront of everything because if they didn’t, they would have nothing to report. And news flash….everyone is oppressed get the hell over it. This was not from the Donald Trump Inauguration.
And I don’t give a crap if you like what I said or not, I said it and your going to have to deal with it. If we have to hear about everyone’s hatred for Trump in everything, or how there is White Privilege, or how today you can be a man, but tomorrow you can be a broad, then your going to hear my opinion. If you don’t like it I don’t care.
First of all, George Floyd did not die of an overdose. The medical examiner who did his autopsy said as much under cross examination under oath. “ “In my opinion, the law enforcement, subdual restraint, and the neck compression was just more than Mr. Floyd could take by virtue of those heart conditions,”
Second of all, I wanted to thank you for making an effort to use my correct pronouns yesterday. You didn’t have to do that, but it shows you care my friend 🙂 Though I am sorry to hear you don’t care about yourself. There’s plenty of people who care about you.
Third of all, you used the wrong version of your again. Both examples should have been the contraction from “you’re”. Hope this helps.
Listen here my precious little imp. I could give a shit less if you or anyone else gives a damn about me so now that’s out of the way. Floyd did die of an overdose no matter what you believe, or what the media reported. he was a habitual drug user, and a known criminal these are facts and cannot be disputed no matter how hard you or anyone else try. You probably also believe that O.J. Simpson was innocent because the glove didn’t fit. Or that Rodney King wasn’t resisting arrest at the time he was assaulted, because he was legally intoxicated, and that is apparently a viable excuse to ignore the law, and act like an idiot. Again, these are facts that cannot be disputed. You and other snowflakes around the world just do not like to see the truth.
I don’t give a damn if I use your correct pronouns. or if my version of “your” fits into your narrative. That has to be one of the dumbest things weak people in society have latched onto because they literally have nothing better to do or bitch about.
And I’m just curious as to what school you attended to get your Doctoral Degree in the English Language. Because you must have one since you find it so prevalent to correct others when they are speaking.
I find your tactics shallow and pedantic.
You can use Google to figure out what those words mean.
On this anniversary of the failed coup, let’s celebrate the arrests of over 900 people involved. Most of them got/will get a slap on the wrist, but some are serving real time. As much as 10 years so far!
Happy Insurrection Day!
On this day, let’s celebrate another idiot who thinks they are funny by informing them they are not. Your not funny. Your not humorous, and by the sound of your posts, your not intelligent to the facts of how things work.
And was it a failed coup or an insurrection, can’t be both, but you will say “oh it can be both” because it fits your narrow minded viewpoint.
Here are the facts and you can try to dispute and argue against them, but you have to accept them, because they are the truth.
860 individuals were charged with entering a restricted Federal Building. Only 11 arrests were made, and those individuals were charged with destruction of property or assaulting the media . They were not charged with anything else. SInce then, the individuals who were charged, have paid restitutions and have since had no other charges filed against them in relation to Jan. 6th.
Of the total number, only 65 people actually received jail or prison sentences , and prior acts or outstanding charges were introduced in addition to their previous charges, which is why they received any jail time at all.
Your buddies the Capitol Police were instructed by your leaders to not use crowd deterrent tactics to defuse the situation, which included the use of non-lethal force by the deployment of stun grenades,
They also were not allowed to implement the Civil Disturbance Unit, which is designated to, and designed for incidents like this specifically. Basically the leaders, you are so adamant about defending, and feel so sorry for allowed this event to occur. It could have been stopped long before it happened as they had prior knowledge that Pro-Trump Extremists, notice the use of the word Extremist here, not Trump supporter, not member of the Republican party but Extremist, were going to do this, but apparently did not care if it did happen. So who is the traitor now.
Ahhh, another right-wing fascist crawling out from under his rock to deflect and defend his dumpster fire leader.
I do have to thank you though. You started my day out great. I damn near spit my coffee out from laughing at your nonsensical responses to people.
We find ourselves in agreement about these nuts being right-winged extremists. We disagree that they were not trump supporters. Their flags and red hats told a different story.
I don’t even know where you came up with that number of only 11 being arrested. Of the many hundreds charged so far, 185 have been sentenced to actual jail time. More to come. That is a reason to celebrate.
For those reading who want to see where I got my information, go to the official justice department web page. Search for capitol-breach-cases.
This is where you can see all who have been charged.
Yes, as I stated, most will get a slap on the wrist for being silly children who didn’t get their way, so they proceeded to throw a tantrum in the capitol, but many were charged and sentenced with serious crimes.
Now go back to your rock to hang out with your traitorous friends Jackson, you’re dismissed.
No you are the one who is friggin hilarious with your posts and responses. Let’s examine the flaws you like to omit shall we.
First thing, is I am far from being a fascist. That is more your speed whether you want the title or not. Your posts speak of nothing but fascism from the very first word. So that’s settled.
Secondly. I could give two shits less if I start your day off good or bad.
Third. You either cannot read, or understand what is written in a posts. I said, those who were at the Capitol were Trump extremists, not supporters. A normal person who supports a candidate and agrees with their policies would not do what the others did. Those people were and listen carefully my little retard….E-X-T-R-E-M-E-I-S-T-S. They were not merely supporters.
And yes, they list people who were CHARGED, not the ones who recieved jail time. And my little bottle of hand lotion, previous acts and outstanding charges were taken into consideration and used against them. You seem to think that this one single act of civil disobedience ( and that was a phrase used by the current President, so get upset if you want to but he said it. He probably doesn’t remember it but he said it ) was the catalyst . It was not but clearly you believe it was so I will allow you to think that way if it means this conversation ends because I cannot stand speaking to those who clearly have no clue what the hell they are talking about, Im referring to you in case you didn’t know.
Please let me know who my traitorous friends are. Are they the Capitol Police who did nothing? The Civil Disturbance Unit, who did nothing? Was it Grandma Pelosi, who did nothing? Or maybe it was the entire DC police force who stood by and allowed this to play out the way it did, even after advance knowledge that this was going to happen? I’ll allow you to choose…oh but you won’t because they are all guilty of doing nothing. Face the facts my little puppy fart. The people you support and have a hard-on for are the ones responsible for this.
This discussion with you is now closed. I don’t care what you have to say, as the facts speak for themselves and as much as it pains you to admit, you know your wrong but either can not, or will not admit it. You actually remind me of Kari Lake with your antics. You refuse to admit you lost. Why don’t you change your name to ” duly-elected red traitor hater” because you seem to live in la la land and refuse to accept reality.
Now you can have one juice box and watch tv for three minutes then it’s night night time.
Jackson quit trying to act smart, you don’t know how to
Thanks for the laugh Jackson. Wipe your mouth, you have a little spittle in the corners. You’re dismissed.
Oh I see another Leftist liberal has it’s 2 cents to put in. what’s wrong. Did the facts hurt your precious little sense of feeling superior to others. Did you finally realize there is an inherent flaw in your logic and skewed viewpoints? Or did you finally just realized that only one side is truly the traitors….and that is the side you voted into office until the next election.
Nothing political here Jackson, you are an idiot on either side of the isle.
Now I doubt that you have the ability to comprehend the meaning Jackson, but do yourself a favor and try to look up Fascism. If your little pea brain can grasp it, you’ll see yourself, and your little trump loving friends. Your assignment for today is to report back with what you discover about yourself.
You are now dismissed.
aww, how sweet a each one of you have made a friend. Good for you.
I’m done wasting my time with you two morons. My point has been proven, many times over and you cannot dispute it. All you want to do is try and be funny and cannot back your claims with any facts and that is what hurts you so much. Your wrong and cannot admit it, or won’t admit is, the choice is yours to pick so pick one. You two are pathetic trolls who have no value to offer when it comes to discussing politics and are officially a waste of time and effort even replying anymore. You can try to be funny again if you want, but i’m done playing with you two and will not respond to anything you say or post. I win, you lose. Now you are dismissed.
Hi Jackson, it’s me again. Just wanted to let you know, one of your last “yours” was the wrong your again. You should have used the “you’re” form since you’re referring to people being something, rather than something being their’s. Hope this helps! 🙂
Thanks for not responding anymore Jackson, the post is better off for it.
Well here we are again Jackson. You keep claiming you have proven something by typing a word salad. You have only proven that you can’t comprehend. I gave you an assignment. Did you look up the definition of Fascist, and discover you didn’t like what it said? At least you have taken the path best for you, and have stated (for a second time) that you will not respond to further posts.
You are officially dismissed.