Ladera Ranch Man Charged In Capitol Riots: Report

LADERA RANCH, CA —Ladera Ranch resident Russell Taylor, 40, was charged for his part in the insurgency at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, disrupting the joint session of congress on the day the electoral college votes would certify a new president.

Taylor has been charged with obstructing an official proceeding, entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct, among other charges, federal court records show.

The grand jury indictment shows that six total California residents were charged:

• Allan Hostetter, 56, of San Clemente;
• Russell Taylor, 40, of Ladera Ranch;
• Erik Scott Warner, 45, of Menifee;
• Felipe Antonio “Tony” Martinez, 47, of Lake Elsinore;
• Derek Kinnison, 39, of Lake Elsinore
• Ronald Mele, 51, of Temecula.

All are charged with federal offenses that include conspiracy, obstructing an official proceeding, and unlawful entry on restricted building or grounds, all felonies according to Hostetter's attorney Bilal A. Essayli.

Taylor is also charged with obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder and unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds, according to the Department of Justice. Warner and Kinnison are also charged with tampering with documents or proceedings.

All six of those mentioned are members of what has been referred to as the "Three Percenters militia group." According to the Department of Justice, the"Three Percenters" based their view that only three percent of American colonists took up arms against the British during the American Revolution. Some Three Percenters liken the present-day U.S. Government to British authorities that infringed on civil liberties in the period leading up to and during the American Revolution, the DOJ reports.

The indictment states that Hostetter and Taylor drove across country together to reach Washington D.C. the evening of January 3, along with Hostetter's wife, who was not charged as of this report.

Read the full indictment here.

Essayli told the OC Register that Hostetter "did not enter the Capitol" and that they are "concerned that the government is charging him with multiple felonies."

Hostetter, an affirmed Trump supporter, led multiple rallies in 2020 against the county's coronavirus response under the mantle "The American Phoenix Project," including protests on restrictions and tearing down a fence in the city of San Clemente.

All six were expected in court Thursday afternoon in Santa Ana.

This is a developing report. Refresh for the latest information.