2 Ohioans Charged For Role In Capitol Riots: FBI

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two Ohioans have been accused of participating in the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Jessica Watkins and Donovan Ray Crowl, both from Champaign County, were accused by the FBI of being members of the Oath Keepers, a paramilitary group that believes in a conspiracy theory suggesting the federal government has been taken over by a secret cabal. The FBI said the Oath Keepers accept anyone as members but specifically try to recruit police officers and members of the military.

Watkins and Crowl both belong to the Ohio State Regular Militia, according to an affidavit obtained by Patch. Watkins claims to be the commanding officer of the group on her social media, the FBI said.

Both Watkins and Crowl were photographed or videotaped storming the U.S. Capitol with other Oath Keepers, the affidavit said. Watkins then posted on Parler boasting of her involvement in the siege, the FBI noted.

Crowl also did an interview with the New Yorker about why he, a former marine, stormed the U.S. Capitol.

The affidavit adds that Watkins said on Parler that her and her team forced their way into the Rotunda and then the Senate chambers. When challenged on the social media site, she confirmed she had forced her way into the chambers, saying "Forced. Like rugby."

Watkins also confirmed that she was inside the U.S. Capitol in an interview with the Ohio Capital Journal, though she said she did not think she had committed a crime.

Both Watkins and Crowl were taken into custody by federal law enforcement on Monday, according to the Department of Justice.

Protests in Washington, D.C. were sparked on Jan. 6 as the U.S. Congress moved to count the Electoral College votes from the November presidential election. Far right supporters of President Donald Trump, who lost to President-elect Joe Biden, stormed barricades and forced their way into the Capitol building, disrupting the process.

The mayhem overwhelmed Capitol Police, who evacuated members of Congress as violence escalated.

At least one other Ohioan, Christine Priola, has been accused of participating in the riots.