A former sheriff’s deputy in Midland County, Texas, who authorities say took part in the January 6 Capitol siege while wearing a Three Per...
A former sheriff’s deputy in Midland County, Texas, who authorities say took part in the January 6 Capitol siege while wearing a Three Percenters patch, has been charged for his role in the riot after the FBI tracked him down by tracking his phone location.
The feds were able to pinpoint the exact location of Cory Ray Brannan, who also worked as a county jailer, as he stood inside the Capitol Building amid a flood of violent rioters, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in a Washington DC court on Thursday.
After authorities subpoenaed Brannan's phone records, they determined he had 'numerous phone numbers of individuals' who had similarly participated in the failed attempt to disrupt a joint session of Congress as they tallied the votes that led to the election of Joe Biden, and the ousting of former President Donald Trump.
Brannan and his fellow rioters were attempting to prevent the formalizing of Biden's presidency after Trump called on his supporters to storm the Capitol, claiming the election had been 'stolen by emboldened radical-left Democrats.'
Cory Ray Brannan, pictured circled in red, was charged by the FBI for his role in the January 6 Capitol siege
The agency was able to determine Brannan's participation after tracking his cell phone to the time and location of the violent insurrection
Authorities say Brannan can be seen circled in red as he stands inside the occupied Capitol building
The FBI was also able to retrieve a handful of photos of Brannan taken at the Capitol siege, showing him at the riot while wearing a Trump 2020 hat and the infamous Three Percenters patch, which is a pro-Trump, anti-government extremist organization.
The complaint states that Brannan 'knowingly entered or remained in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority to do; and knowingly, and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions.'
An FBI agent received further confirmation of Brannan's involvement after he 'met with Midland County Sheriff’s Office, Captain Adam Hilliard,' on August 12.
Photos show Brannan wearing a Trump 2020 hat and the infamous Three Percenters patch. The Three Percenters are a pro-Trump, anti-government extremist organization
As of August 30, there have been 638 people charged in relation to the January 6 Capitol siege
'Captain Hilliard is the Jail Captain for the Midland County Sheriff’s Office, where Brannan was recently working as a jailer,' the complaint reads.
'Captain Hilliard was shown the above picture of Brannan at the Capitol Riot and confirmed that the individual in the picture is Brannan.'
As of August 30, there have been 638 people charged in relation to the January 6 Capitol siege, according to Insider.
Many people were injured during the riot, including 138 police officers. Four officers died of suicide within seven months following the January 6 insurrection, Reuters reports.
The exact nature of Brannan's charges have yet to be revealed as of Thursday.
No comments