Utah activist John Sullivan, who was arrested for allegedly participating in the Jan. 6 rioting at the U.S. Capitol, was released from jail earlier this month on the condition that he follow rules including staying off social media. Now, he has been accused by a pretrial service officer of violating those conditions of release.
Sullivan was charged in federal court in the District of Columbia with with civil disorder, being in a restricted area and disorderly conduct. Sullivan told The Salt Lake Tribune he attended the rioting to film it and watch history, but a government affidavit alleges he was not a quiet observer. Citing Sullivan’s own videos as evidence, the affidavit claims he broke a window and yelled things such as “We accomplished this sh--. We did this together,” and, “We are all a part of this history. ... Let’s burn this s--- down.”
At a Jan. 15 court appearance, prosecutor Bryan Reeves asked for Sullivan to remain in jail, claiming he is a risk for trying to threaten witnesses or jurors. Judge Daphne Oberg said Reeves lacked the evidence needed to keep Sullivan locked up. However, Oberg set a number of conditions of release including that Sullivan undergo a mental health evaluation and be employed full-time.
Reeves also asked that Sullivan’s internet use be monitored to prevent him from going on social media to “incite” people.
In a court document filed Wednesday, U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Josh Cahoon claimed that Sullivan violated his approved internet usage on four different occasions. Oberg issued a court summons for Sullivan based on the allegation.
Mary Corporon, Sullivan’s lawyer, declined to comment on the allegations.
