Joshua Youngerman, 24, was originally charged with six criminal counts, including one felony, for his suspected role in the deadly riot that disrupted a joint session of Congress to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The new indictment filed Wednesday bumps up the charges against Youngerman to nearly 20, stemming from messages he allegedly exchanged with “The California Patriots-DC Brigade” members that discuss bringing items like knives, brass knuckles and pepper spray to the Capitol.
Using an offshoot of a “The California Patriots – Answer the Call” chat on the encrypted messaging application Telegram, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia said the 24-year-old provided instructions for how to get the weapons through airport security.
The chat was used to coordinate travel to Washington, D.C. for the “Stop the Steal” rally held by former President Donald Trump that lead up to the Capitol building breech, as well as gather “able bodied individuals” that are “comfortable with violence if it is brought to you.”
The previous indictment filed against Youngerman alleged the 24-year-old was active in the conversation, introducing himself by saying he had “[n]o police or military experience” but has “had to throw hands on multiple occasions and have a little bit of MMA training.”
However, the latest charging document provides new details about other messages Youngerman is accused of sending messages like:
“I know that in general if a blade is under 4 inches you are fine. I would definitely suggest conceal carrying it though. I’m bringing mine for self defense.”
“I work for Alaska and Delta so we have to know all this stuff … Just make sure the pepper spray is under 4fl oz. and no you don’t have to tell the ticket agent.”
The group’s moderator, Ladera Ranch resident Russell Taylor, also sent several messages in the chat about potential action during the rally, prosecutors said, including a Dec. 29, 2020 text that said he wanted “to be on the front steps and be one of the first ones to breach the doors!”
On Jan. 5, 2021, the day before the riot, prosecutors said Taylor sent a message to the group that read “After Trumps event we will March up to the capital and be there to surround the capital.” He also asked the group to affirm receipt of the text, to which Youngerman replied, “Confirmed.”
Following the rally on Jan. 6, 2021, Youngerman is accused of scaling the northwest wall of the building on a rope and entering the Capitol around 2:37 p.m., an action prosecutors say could be seen on closed-circuit television.
While inside of the building, Youngerman proceeded to the Rotunda before exiting through the Upper West Terrace Door a short time later due to an encounter with “chemical munitions,” according to the indictment.
CCTV footage showing a man, identified as Joshua Youngerman, scaling the side of the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021 using a rope. (U.S. District Court Criminal Complaint)
Hours later, the Imperial Beach resident messaged in the “DC Brigade” chat to to get an update on what was happening at the Capitol building, prosecutors said, prompting several responses from people who said they were still there.
Prosecutors allege Youngerman then messaged back saying, “We are going to come back and fight with you guys … The difference between us and the other side is that we are taking the fight to those in charge.”
Shortly after, the 24-year-old added, “I hope the fight continues. It started today … It was an honor to be fighting on the front line will all you guys today. And I don’t plan on stopping even when I return home … This is the start of War,” according to the indictment.
Youngerman is scheduled to be arraigned on the new indictment next week, which includes several added charges for violent entry and disorderly conduct at the Capitol. He previously pleaded not guilty to the original six charges for unlawful conduct on the building’s grounds.
Taylor, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced earlier this year to six months of home detention. He also testified in the trial of ex-Orange County police chief Alan Hostetter, who was sentenced to 11 years behind bars for his role in the Jan. 6 riot.
Since Jan. 6, 2021, nearly 1,400 individuals have been charged for crimes related to the breach of the Capitol, according to the U.S. Attorney. Of those, close to 500 people have been charged with felonies tied to assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
Youngerman is one of at least nine San Diego County residents who have been arrested or charged in connection to the Jan. 6 attacks — several of whom are already serving out sentences for those crimes.
Another San Diego resident, Ashli Babbitt , was among the five people who died during the attack. Babbitt was fatally shot by a U.S. Capitol police officer while attempting to climb through a broken window next to a barricaded door that leads to the Speaker’s Lobby.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Oh, stop the circus! If you want to charge and convict someone, look at all the thugs during that ridiculous George Floyd riot where they burned down communities and attacked people!
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