U.S. Capitol Riots: 2 Ohioans Linked To Oath Keepers Charged

WASHINGTON, DC — Two Ohioans linked to the far-right militia group Oath Keepers were accused of storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the Department of Justice announced Friday.

Sandra Ruth Parker, 62, and Bennie Alvin Parker, 70, — a married couple from Morrow — were arrested Thursday on charges of conspiracy, obstructing an investigation, destroying government property and unlawful entry.

Both appeared in an Ohio federal court on Thursday. They were released on bond and will face trial in Washington.

The Parkers worked with Jessica Watkins and Donovan Crowl of the Ohio Oath Keepers in the lead-up to the attack, the Department of Justice said. Prosecutors allege that Watkins, a 38-year-old Army veteran, was the leader of a group of Oath Keepers who were waiting on a signal from Trump to spring into action after Joe Biden won the presidency last fall.

Prosecutors accused Watkins of organizing other Oath Keepers members, citing letters in which she wrote they were prepared to fight hand to hand in the Capitol while people with weapons outside the city "await orders to enter D.C. under permission from Trump, not a minute sooner."

During the attack, Watkins was among a group of Oath Keepers members dressed in military-style combat gear who were videotaped "moving in an organized and practiced fashion and forcing their way" into the Capitol, prosecutors said.

Video from the attack showed a woman appearing to be Watkins boasting about taking over the building, shouting, "We took the Capitol; we overran the Capitol."

Bennie Parker spoke extensively with Watkins in the runup to Jan. 6, prosecutors said.

Sandra Parker is accused of donning military gear and marching in a military-style formation up the center steps of the Capitol, breaching the door and storming the building.

Bennie Parker has been charged with obstructing law enforcement's investigation into the storming of the Capitol, federal officials said.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. attorney's office with help from the Department of Justice in the Southern District of Ohio. The FBI led the investigation into the Oath Keepers.

The FBI is still looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 800-225-5324 or submit images or videos at www.tips.fbi.gov.