Horned 'QAnon shaman' among the latest people to be charged over the Washington riot

More charges have been laid over the deadly riot incited by Donald Trump at the US Capitol.

Man dressed as 'shaman', wearing a horns on his head, a fur hat and his face painted in the colours of the US flag in the US Capitol building after it was stormed on January 6, 2021.

Jacob Chansley in the US Capitol building on January 6. He gained notoriety as the 'QAnon shaman' during the storming of the Capitol. Source: Sipa USA/Chris Kleponis

US authorities announced new arrests and charges Saturday over the violent incursion into the Capitol, including a tattoo-chested man in a horned hat whose image was beamed around the world. 

That man, Jacob Anthony Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli, and two others - one of them a newly elected state official - were charged in federal court in connection with the violence, according to the US attorney's office for the District of Columbia.

Mr Chansley was charged with "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds."
The statement alleged that Mr Chansley was "the man seen in media coverage who entered the Capitol building dressed in horns, a bearskin headdress, red, white and blue face paint, shirtless, and tan pants," while carrying a long spear with an American flag tied to it." 

Mr Chansley's seeming resemblance to singer Jay Kay sparked a worldwide buzz on social media, prompting the Jamiroquai frontman to issue a statement making clear that he was nowhere near Washington when the pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol.

Mr Chansley describes himself as a "digital soldier" of the baseless far-right QAnon conspiracy theory that claims Mr Trump is waging a secret war against a global liberal cult of Satan-worshipping pedophiles. He is also known as the "QAnon shaman".

The two other men were Derrick Evans, 35, a recently-elected member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and Adam Johnson, 36, of Florida.

Several of the intruders made their identification simple. Mr Evans is seen on one video, according to the US attorney's office, shouting as he crossed the threshold into the Capitol, "We're in, we're in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!"
Derrick Evans posted a live stream to his social media showing him storming the Capitol
West Virginia state delegate Derrick Evans posted a live stream to his social media showing him storming the Capitol Source: Supplied
After calls from colleagues that he step down, Mr Evans on Saturday submitted a letter of resignation to the state's governor.

"I take full responsibility for my actions, and deeply regret any hurt, pain or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents and fellow West Virginians," Mr Evans said in a statement reported by local media.

"I hope (my resignation) helps to begin the healing process, so we can all move forward and come together as 'One Nation, Under God.'"
Mr Johnson was seen in widely circulated photos showing him smiling and waving as he carries the lectern of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi through the Capitol Rotunda.

Police identified him in part through a photograph posted to a social media account with the username "Adam Johnson," showing the suspect posing in a Capitol hallway.

The lectern was found one day later, abandoned in a corridor.

The Justice Department said Friday that 15 others had been charged over the incursion, including one man accused of possessing bombs.


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3 min read
Published 10 January 2021 7:00am
Updated 10 January 2021 11:50am
Source: AFP, SBS


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