A federal judge signaled Thursday that plea agreements were forthcoming for some of the hundreds accused in the government’s far-reaching investigation into the deadly Capitol riots.
In a hearing involving three Missouri defendants charged with illegal entry and disorderly conduct, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich said that she expected “plea offers would be extended in the near future” as part of the larger inquiry.
U.S. Attorney Brenda Johnson did not dispute the judge’s assessment, as the government has been focusing much of its attention on the most violent suspects and larger groups believed to have coordinated their roles in the Jan. 6 siege.
More:Oath Keeper planned with Proud Boys, Three Percenters before Capitol attack, prosecutors say
Prosecutors acknowledged last week that they were pursuing a broad conspiracy involving “a large number of participants.” And earlier this week, the government asserted that a leader of the paramilitary group known as the Oath Keepers coordinated with members of at least two other extremist sects – the Proud Boys and Three Percenters – prior to the Capitol attack.
More:Alleged Capitol riot organizer, Oath Keeper associate Thomas Caldwell released to home confinement
The disclosure, contained in a court filing seeking the continued detention of Florida Oath Keeper leader Kelly Meggs marked the first time prosecutors have presented evidence of wider coordination among extremist groups.
At the same time, the FBI has appealed for public help in pursuit of 10 suspects involved in some of the most brutal assaults on police officers.
The FBI appeal, which included graphic video clips of suspects wielding clubs, flag poles, broken furniture and chemical sprays, produced a wave of tips. But the search for the 10 continues.
At least 65 suspects in the more than 400 cases filed so far have been charged with assaulting officers.
The Thursday hearing involving the three Missouri suspects, however, appeared to stand apart from the government focus on violence.
While the defendants are accused of entering the Capitol building, none were charged with assault or weapons possession.
In an interview with the FBI, one of the suspects, Stephen Quick, said that he was “ashamed” of his conduct, according to court documents.
Dee Wampler, a Springfield, Missouri attorney representing all three defendants, told the judge that he expected a relatively quick resolution of the case.
“I don’t anticipate a trial,” Wampler said.
