A federal judge in Seattle has granted a Proud Boys leader's request to be released pending his trial for charges related to the Capitol riot, CNN reports.
"While you are out, you must maintain good conduct," Magistrate Judge Brian Tsuchida told Ethan Nordean, who the court notes is also known as "Rufio Panman," on Monday.
Nordean faces four charges related to alleged actions outside and inside the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, the day of the riot, including "aiding and abetting injury to government property, obstructing an official proceeding, entering the restricted grounds of the Capitol and disorderly conduct," according to CNN.
Prosecutors accuse the 30-year-old Washington native, who they note "is a Proud Boys member who occupies leadership positions in the Seattle Chapter" of the organization and others of having "led" a group of Proud Boys, who were "dressed 'incognito,'" toward the Capitol building, which he entered after others broke into the building and forced their way inside.
"Defendant was quickly identified as a participant in the riot, due to his prominent position amongst the Proud Boys and the number of images of his likeness published on the Internet," per prosecutors. "In investigating Defendant's involvement on January 6, 2021, it quickly became apparent that he planned to participate in advance. Defendant was an active poster on the social media site 'Parler,' where he identified himself as 'Rufio Panman' and utilized the username '@REBELRUFIO.'"
Prosecutors have indicated they will appeal the decision to release Nordean, who they claim might coordinate with other Proud Boys members on another attack against the government.
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
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