A New Jersey man with a U.S. Navy contractor with a “secret” security clearance has been charged with participating in the U.S. Capitol Revolt, federal authorities said.
Timothy Louis Hale-Cusanelli, 30, described as a “declared white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer” in court papers, allegedly told other pro-Trump riot police to “advance” during the deadly January 6 siege.
He was charged Friday with five federal offenses, including: entering or remaining in a restricted building without legal authorization; disorderly conduct on the grounds of the Capitol; disrupt the orderly conduct of government business; parade, demonstrate or picket in a Capitol building; and obstruct a police officer.
Hale-Cusanelli, a U.S. Army reservist, works at Earle Naval Weapons Station in Colts Neck, where he has access to “a wide variety of ammunition,” according to an affidavit filed with the Court of Justice. United States District in Washington, DC
The Naval Criminal Investigation Service began examining Hale-Cusanelli after receiving advice from an informant who said the Colts Neck man had confessed to breaking into the Capitol.
Hale-Cusanelli allegedly showed the reporter videos about himself “making harassing and derogatory statements against Capitol police officers, both inside and outside the Capitol building,” the affidavit states.
In a recorded conversation with the informant on Thursday, Hale-Cusanelli admitted that he encouraged other members of the crowd to “move forward – giving directions both by voice and by hand signals,” the court papers allege.
He said “if they had had more men, they could have seized the entire building,” the affidavit states.
Hale-Cusanelli also allegedly admitted that he had taken a flag and a stick that he had seen another riot police throwing “like a javelin” at a Capitol police officer.
He said he wanted to get rid of the flag and the flagpole as soon as he could, describing it as a “murder weapon,” the affidavit says.
The informant described Hale-Cusanelli as a white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer known for “offering extreme political views and views,” on a YouTube channel called “Based on Hermes Show,” and other online forums.
“Before traveling to the rally and protesting on January 6, 2021, Hale-Cusanelli wrote,“ Trust the plan, it’s the final countdown, stay tuned for the next episode ”and“ Trust the plan, important notice soon “”, documents the state court.
Hale-Cusanelli was arrested Friday. It was unclear if he had a lawyer on Sunday.
According to a review by the Associated Press, at least 22 current or former members of the U.S. military or law enforcement have been identified as near or near the riot.