Small Ohio town of 300 'shocked' to learn they hosted angry Trump mob before they stormed US Capitol

29 January 2021

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In a small town just 40 miles outside of Columbus, Ohio, a pro-Trump mob was radicalized and militarized, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation.

According to WLWT-5, Army veteran Jessica Watkins of Woodstock, Ohio., served as a bartender by day while moonlighting as a recruiter for a local extremist military group she founded in 2019. Now, The Jolly Roger Bar and Grill

A criminal complaint filed on Jan. 19 lays out how Watkins worked with a number of other men to build their militia ahead of the U.S. Capitol siege. The complaint states that "Watkins and a member of her militia, ex-Marine Donovan Ray Crowl, are charged, along with a Virginia man, with helping to plan and coordinate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol."

While many of the disturbing images from the Capitol siege feature photos of QAnon Shaman, the shirtless man wearing bull horns and fur, along with a number of other crazed Trump supporters, the FBI noted that some photos captured an alarming number of individuals "showing military-like formations of rioters dressed in olive drab, wearing helmets, goggles, and items ready for an assault."

Federal authorities also reportedly have correspondence from Watkins who allegedly confirmed the number of militants who were with her the day of the Capitol riots. "We have a good group," federal authorities allege Watkins said that day. "We have about 30-40 of us. We are sticking together and sticking to the plan."

Freddy Cruz, a research analyst for Southern Poverty Law Center, also weighed in as he highlighted how disturbing the developments in Woodstock are. "It's quite concerning," Cruz said, adding, "I think the general media and the federal institutions have dropped the ball in taking these groups seriously."

The FBI's search of the 38-year-old's home also led to the discovery of "personal protection equipment and communication devices, homemade weapons and instructions for making plastic explosives." The publication also detailed the text message Watkins sent out back in November which signaled a disturbance would take place leading up to the Inauguration.

"I need you fighting fit by innaugeration," Watkins allegedly texted to another person interested in her group. "It's a military style basic, here in Ohio, with a Marine Drill Sergeant running it."

While investigators believe Watkins' militia group is still relatively small, the bureau is taking the case seriously. On Wednesday, Jan. 27, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Watkins and Donovan Ray Crowl, 50, and Thomas Caldwell, 65, were indicted on a string of charges including "charges of conspiracy, obstructing an official proceeding, destruction of government property, and unlawful entry on restricted building or grounds."

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