A Woodland Park man with alleged ties to a radical militia group is facing federal criminal charges in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol building after authorities say he was spotted wielding a baseball bat and attacking law enforcement officers.
Robert Gieswein, 24, is the third Colorado man charged following the riot. Federal court documents filed in Washington, D.C., charged Gieswein with assault on a federal officer, destruction of government property, obstruction of an official proceeding, entering a restricted building or grounds without authority, violent entry or disorderly conduct, and aiding and abetting.
Federal court documents signed by an FBI special agent describe Gieswein’s alleged involvement in the riot, with the agent identifying him through videos and photos from the day.
Gieswein “traveled to Washington, D.C., assaulted and intimidated U.S. Capitol Police officers with a spray canister, temporary barrier and baseball bat,” court documents state. He also encouraged other rioters to break a window at the U.S. Capitol building to gain entry.
Gieswein is “affiliated with the radical militia group known as the Three Percenters,” court documents say, and frequently posts references to the group on his social media accounts. He also runs a “private paramilitary training group” known as the “Woodland Wild Dogs,” according to court documents.
A patch on tactical gear Gieswein wore to the riot references the group, authorities say.
The day before the riot, according to the court documents, Gieswein was interviewed by a British news outlet, during which he railed against “corrupt politicians” who were “destroying our country” and cited anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
A video from Gieswein’s now-deleted Facebook page includes photos of him posing near a Woodland Park police car with an officer inside, and gathering with others in military-style garb and openly carrying firearms. He also is flashing a hand symbol for the Three Percenters in one of the photos.
Two other men from Colorado have been charged in connection with the riot. Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr. is accused of unlawfully having guns and ammunition, and threatening U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Klete Keller, a former Olympic swimmer, is charged with knowingly entering a restricted building to impede an official government function, disorderly conduct, and obstructing law officers during the riot.