On Saturday, Nov. 7, Dunnellon resident Kelly Meggs posted a video of himself in front of the traveling Vietnam Veterans War Memorial discussing the importance of history and freedom.
Two days later, according to court documents, he was on Facebook asking if others would join him in “doing ****” rather than just “talking on Facebook,” adding that those who were ready to “join the fight” should message him directly.
Meggs is the purported leader of the Florida Oath Keepers, a right-wing paramilitary group. In the wake of the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol, he was arrested on Feb. 17 and charged with three felonies including conspiracy. He has pled not guilty to all charges but remains behind bars.
In a recent filing, Meggs requested a pretrial release. The government, in its response, cited for the first time wider coordination between extremist groups before the Jan. 6 attack.
READ: FBI Director Wray says attack at U.S. Capitol was “domestic terrorism”
As part of its response arguing to keep Meggs behind bars, federal prosecutors cite Facebook comments and messages written by Meggs. In one, he wrote, “well we are ready for the rioters, this week I organized an alliance between Oath Keepers, Florida 3%ers, and Proud Boys. We have decided to work together and shut this **** down.”
Three days later on Dec. 22, according to court records, Meggs wrote, “Trump said it’s going to be wild!!!!! It’s going to be wild!!!!! He wants us to make it WILD that’s what he’s saying. He called us all to the Capitol and wants us to make it wild!! Sir Yes Sir!!! Gentlemen we are heading to DC pack your ****!!”
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The court filing also goes into detail about the logistics for the trip, including a passenger van and hotel rooms with Meggs. According to records, he purchased two hotel rooms at the DC Hilton Garden Inn on his credit cards as well as two rooms at the Comfort Inn in Arlington, Virginia. In messages, Meggs also discusses what people should bring writing, “DC is no guns. So mace and gas masks, some buttons. If you have armor that’s good. During the day it’s kind of boring but when it starts getting dark game on.”
It appears as if Meggs and other were planning to square off with Antifa, but by Dec. 26 a new theme starts to emerge.
“Trumps staying in, he’s gonna use the emergency broadcast system on cell phones to broadcast to the American people. Then he will claim the insurrection act” wrote Meggs in a Facebook message. “Then wait for the 6th when we are all in DC to insurrection.”
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The federal filing also shows Meggs communicating with others using video conference call sites like Go To Meeting and email servers like Proton Mail, which is housed in Switzerland and offers “end-to-end” encryption.
On the day of Jan. 6, pictures filed in court records allegedly show Meggs in camouflage and black with his Oath Keepers patch on his chest, entering the east side of the US Capitol with other members in what the feds describe as a “military-style ‘stack’ formation, with hands on each other’s backs or flak jackets.”