A Nevada man awaiting trial for charges stemming from his alleged participation in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol was taken into custody this week for a series of threatening statements prosecutors say he made targeting public officials, including Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Attorney General Merrick Garland.
According to court records obtained by ABC News, prosecutors moved to revoke Bradley Nelson’s bail following a series of statements and social media posts as recent as last month — that included an image posted Garland with crosshairs drawn on his head. Prosecutors moved to revoke his bail two days after his post about Garland.
Another post that concerned prosecutors targeted Barrett and followed the Supreme Court’s decision in Fischer v. United States involving an obstruction statute leveled against dozens of Jan. 6 rioters, including Nelson himself. Justice Barrett notably dissented from a majority opinion that significantly narrowed the statute’s use against participants in the Capitol attack.
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC.
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“I pray to God with all my [expletive] heart that somebody cuts your [expletive] throat from ear to ear you worthless piece of [expletive],” Nelson allegedly posted of Barrett roughly an hour after the court’s ruling was made public.
Other posts flagged by prosecutors included an image posted by Nelson in August of 2023 of Judge Scott McAfee, the Georgia judge overseeing Trump’s election interference case brought by the Fulton County District Attorney, with crosshairs over his head.
Nelson also allegedly posted an image of New York Attorney General Letitia James with crosshairs that included the comment he would, “give every [expletive] thing I have to watch that [expletive]’s head explode, or at least the back of her head blowout,” the filing says.
Attorney General Merrick Garland delivers remarks during the Commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act at the US Department of Justice on July 9, 2024 in Washington, DC.
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A federal judge in Maryland ordered Nelson detained on Tuesday based on the statements, and also raised concerns about specific recent comments he made about FBI agents involved in his Jan. 6 case that were escalating in recent weeks.
According to the order, Nelson never disputed making any of the specific statements or posts, but instead argued that none amounted to threats, which the judge said he didn’t find convincing.
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett is the main speaker at the 2023 Antonin Scalia Memorial Dinner that is part of the Federalist Society’s 2023 National Lawyers Convention at the Washington Hilton Hotel on November 9, 2023, in Washington, DC.
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Whether Nelson continues to remain in custody, however, will be up to the D.C. district judge overseeing his case, Judge John Bates.
Nelson was first arrested in March of 2023 on several charges including entering and remaining on restricted grounds and violent and disorderly conduct in the Capitol.
Prosecutors said Nelson posted extensive sentiments online in advance of the riot about his desire for violence against public officials including Sen. Mitch McConnell and former Attorney General William Barr, though he was not accused of assaulting police during the riot itself.
Nelson has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is set to go to trial in December.
In the wake of the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol, law enforcement officials have been on high alert for individuals making threats against government officials. Recently, an individual was arrested for making threatening posts targeting Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Attorney General Merrick Garland.
The individual, whose name has not been released to the public, was taken into custody after authorities discovered a series of disturbing posts on social media. In these posts, the individual made explicit threats against Justice Barrett and AG Garland, stating that they would pay for their roles in the aftermath of the Capitol riot.
These threats are particularly concerning given the current political climate and the heightened tensions surrounding the events of January 6th. Law enforcement officials are taking these threats very seriously and are working to ensure the safety of all government officials.
It is important to remember that threats of violence are never acceptable, regardless of one’s political beliefs. In a democracy, we must be able to engage in civil discourse and debate without resorting to violence or intimidation.
This arrest serves as a reminder that law enforcement is actively monitoring threats against government officials and will take swift action to protect those who serve our country. It also underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially when those actions pose a threat to public safety.
As the investigation into this individual’s motives and connections continues, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Threats against government officials cannot be tolerated, and it is up to all of us to do our part in keeping our democracy safe and secure.
