Judge Allows Release For King County Man Charged In DC Riots

Renton WA

03 March, 2021

9:54 PM

Description

RENTON, WA — A federal judge has ordered the pre-trial release of Ethan Nordean, 30, an Auburn-area Proud Boy facing four federal charges stemming from the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Nordean was arrested and charged by federal prosecutors in early February, accused of illegally entering the Capitol building with rioters, attempting to obstruct an official proceeding and participating in other disorderly conduct. If convicted, the charges together carry a total maximum sentence of more than 30 years in prison. According to the Seattle Times, Nordean's attorneys argued Wednesday that prosecutors had failed to show adequate evidence to prove Nordean committed the crimes. Nordean is a self-described "sergeant of arms" and prominent member of the Seattle-area Proud Boys chapter, often using the pseudonym "Rufio Panman," according to prosecutors. Charging documents included several social media posts that prosecutors said showed Nordean attempting to organize participation in the riots and soliciting donations. Prosecutors also included several images that appeared to show Nordean inside the capitol. Earlier in the week, prosecutors alleged Nordean was "nominated from within" to lead the Proud Boys at the Capitol after the group's chairman was arrested by police, the Washington Post reported Tuesday. On Wednesday, the chief judge for the District of Columbia signed off on Nordean's temporary release, requiring him to surrender his passport and remain under house arrest until his trial begins. Other stipulations forbid Nordean from possessing weapons or using narcotics. Though his case under the jurisdiction of D.C.'s federal court, Nordean has remained at the federal detention facility in SeaTac since his arrest. The court has not set a date for the trial to begin.