PHOENIX, AZ – An accused Phoenix Oath Keeper pleaded not guilty to multiple charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot in the U.S. Capitol Friday, including a charge of seditious conspiracy, according to court documents on Friday.
Edward Vallejo, 63, is accused of coordinating teams waiting outside Washington DC to deliver guns and ammunition to rioters on the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021.
Vallejo is being indicted along with a group of 10 other Oath Keepers who are collectively accused of plotting and attempting to use force to stop Donald Trump’s transfer of presidential power to Joe Biden, according to indictment documents.
The Oath Keepers are a far-right group.
Vallejo was arrested in Phoenix on January 13, and US Judge John Boyle ruled on January 20 that Vallejo should not be released before his trial because the judge believed Vallejo posed a danger to the community.
In court documents, federal prosecutors allege that Vallejo traveled to Arlington, Va., on Jan. 5, 2021, specifically to lead a QRF, or rapid reaction force, team ready to bring guns and ammunition to Oath Keepers rampaging the Capitol grounds .
According to court documents, Vallejo’s team is accused of staying at an Arlington hotel where the Oath Keepers left guns for Vallejo and his team to deliver at their request.
Amid the Capitol riots, Vallejo is accused of repeatedly notifying local Oath Keepers members and offering to bring the guns if needed.
After the riot ended, Vallejo is accused of saying it wasn’t over and offered to stay in Arlington to continue the investigation. He added that he has enough food for 30 days.
Prosecutors say the suspects in the plot discussed their plans in encrypted chats, traveled to the nation’s capital from across the country, organized into teams and employed military tactics.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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