Two Utahns face additional charges for stealing an ‘escape hood’ during Jan. 6 Capitol riot
Aug 21, 2022, 8:31 PM | Updated: 9:07 pm
Brady Knowlton (left), Gary Wilson (right) at the January 6 Riot. (United States District Court)
(United States District Court)
SALT LAKE CITY — New court documents allege that two Utah men stole an “escape hood” while illegally entering the US Capitol on January 6.
Brady Knowlton, 41, of St. George, and Gary Wilson of the Salt Lake City area are facing additional charges of theft of government property while in the Capitol building, according to court documents.
Both suspects stole an escape hood that’s worth less than $1,000.
Escape hoods are gas-mask-like devices that help users avoid toxic chemicals for several hours, according to the CDC. These were issued to members of Congress when evacuated from the Capitol on Jan 6.
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Previous court documents alleged that Knowlton and Wilson yelled at Capitol officers outside the building, saying, “you took an oath!” with Colorado resident Patrick Montgomery. While with Montgomery, the two Utahns entered the second-floor hallway, where they confronted officers before leaving the building.
“All you gotta do is step aside,” Knowlton is accused of telling the officers. “You’re not getting in trouble. Stand down. For the love of your country.”
Wilson added: “We came all the way from our jobs to do your job and the freaking senators’ job,” court documents say.
Montgomery is suspected of grabbing an officer’s baton and kicking him in the chest.
Brady Knowlton, Gary Wilson, and Patrick Montgomery entering the US Capitol on Jan 6. (United States District Court)
According to recent court documents, Knowlton and Wilson were indicted by a grand jury on May 18 for the following charges:
- entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds,
- disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds,
- entering and remaining in the gallery of Congress,
- obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting
- and theft of government property.
Montgomery is also facing the same charges as the two Utahns, along with assaulting, resisting, and impeding certain officers, civil disorder, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and the act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or building.
