KSL INVESTIGATES

Federal judge orders house arrest for Utah activist

Jan 15, 2021, 8:48 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2023, 3:01 pm

TOOELE, Utah – John Earle Sullivan, 26, faced a judge for the first time after his arrest and subsequent federal charges in connection to the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The hearing was scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday over Zoom. Recording of the proceedings was prohibited.

Attorneys for the government said they intend to prosecute the case in the District of Columbia.

According to his defense attorneys, the self-proclaimed activist surrendered himself to the FBI with an attorney present. Sullivan was booked into the Tooele County Jail Thursday afternoon on federal charges that include violent entry in a restricted building and disorderly conduct.

John Earle Sullivan, 26. (Tooele County Jail)

The judge Friday stated the government did not meet the requirements to keep Sullivan detained and failed to prove that he poses a “serious risk” of obstruction of justice or intimidation. The government now has time to come back with substantial evidence to hold him during a possible detention hearing.

Friday’s hearing did not conclude until after 5:30 p.m. after business hours. This, combined with Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, means Sullivan will remain in jail until Tuesday when his house arrest can be processed.

As part of Sullivan’s pretrial release, he must follow a list of conditions set by the judge. They include, among others:

  • Sullivan can no longer work for Insurgence USA – the group he started that defines itself as “anti-fascist.”
  • Sullivan is prohibited from having access to any kind of weapon – including firearms.
  • Sullivan must undergo a mental health evaluation and take any prescriptions that may be ordered at that time.
  • Sullivan cannot travel anywhere without permission, including Washington, D.C.

In court, Sullivan’s attorneys said his father has removed firearms from the home.

Sullivan is known to protest while armed with a long gun.

The judge also ordered Sullivan to stay off of social media as part of a computer/internet monitoring requirement.

Sullivan has retained two attorneys to represent him. Although he must appear via Zoom for a hearing in D.C. on Jan. 22, it’s not clear if/when he will be extradited there to appear in person.


RELATED: Utah Activist Says Woman Killed Was First To Attempt Entrance In House Chamber


A lengthy and detailed criminal complaint said Sullivan entered the Capitol through a broken window. He was recording video as he walked through the Capitol with the mob.

The complaint said, “SULLIVAN further stated that he had been present at the shooting of a woman within the U.S. Capitol by a U.S. Capitol Police officer and that he had filmed the incident.”

Sullivan posted his video online and gave it to the FBI. Among other things, the end of his 39-minute video captures the final moments of protester Ashli Babbit’s life.

“SULLIVAN has claimed he was at the U.S. Capitol only to document and report. In addition, your affiant is aware that, at various times, SULLIVAN has claimed to be a journalist. He has admitted, however, that he has no press credentials and the investigation has not revealed any connection between SULLIVAN and any journalistic organizations,” the complaint said.

KSL interviewed Sullivan last week.

The video also showed Sullivan at times yelling inflammatory statements and at other times he can be heard trying to calm down people.

KSL 5 TV Live

KSL Investigates

Matt Gephardt meeting with Denis Hawkins after a rental car company after they ignored his calls fo...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt helps Spanish Fork man clear up insurance claim for rental car damage

Get Gephardt clears up an international rental car insurance standstill.

10 hours ago

FILE - An airplane flies through the clouds in Salt Lake City. (Jeffrey D. Allred / Deseret News)...

Matt Gephardt

How recent airline incidents are changing habits and impacting airfare costs

After a year of headlines lamenting runway incursions and midair close calls, the wheels may be coming off for the airline industry. Literally.

1 day ago

Josh Kochevar died unexpectedly last month. The unhappy task of writing the obituary fell to his ol...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

How scammers are using counterfeit obituaries to profit off deaths of loved ones

You have probably heard of stories where an empty home was burglarized while everyone was attending a funeral service. Or stories about thieves breaking into cars parked at a funeral. Now, artificial intelligence has opened a new way for crooks to capitalize on grief.

2 days ago

A person scanning a recently generated QR code....

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

How to protect yourself from fake QR codes scammers use to steal money and info

Here's what you need to know about QR codes and protecting yourself from scammers.

6 days ago

General view outside of the Delta Center ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 19,...

Matt Gephardt

NCAA Tournament basketball is coming to Salt Lake and so are the ticket scams

As March Madness excitement ramps up, so do the odds of buying pricey tickets to tournament games that turn out to be fakes or non-existent.

7 days ago

About a year ago, the KSL Investigators went under the hood of some "connected" smart cars to see w...

Matt Gephardt

Internet-connected cars may share driver info with insurance companies, what it means for premiums

some internet-connected vehicles are sharing our driving habits with our insurance companies

8 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Federal judge orders house arrest for Utah activist