A reputed “commander” within the far-right Oath Keepers collective was busted Tuesday for his alleged role in the deadly US Capitol riot, including an online boast that he was “such an instigator,” according to authorities.
Thomas Edward Caldwell, 65, was arrested on charges including conspiracy, making him among the first alleged rioters to face that rap and its potential sentence of at least 20 years behind bars.
Before and during the Jan. 6 riot, Caldwell, of Virginia, allegedly mobilized about eight to 10 members of the Oath Keepers — a loosely organized far-right anti-government group that primarily recruits among military, law enforcement and first responders, according to court filings.
Sifting through the online posts of two other alleged Oath Keepers and riot participants, Jessica Watkins and Donovan Crowl, investigators became aware of Caldwell, also known within the group as “Commander Tom,” the papers indicate.
A Jan. 1 Facebook message sent from Caldwell’s account directed members to arrange hotel accommodations — “arrive [Jan.] 5th, depart [Jan.] 7th will work” — in Arlington, Virginia, a short distance from Washington, DC, according to authorities.
Oath Keepers emblem is worn by someone at the Capitol riots.That same day, Crowl replied to Caldwell seeking guidance, according to the filings.
“Happy New year, to you Sir!! Guess I’ll be seeing you soon,” Crowl allegedly wrote. “Will probably call you tomorrow…mainly because…I like to know wtf [the] plan is.
“You are the man Commander.”
On Jan. 6, hordes of supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol in a bloody, fruitless attempt to prevent Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s election win, a chaotic scene that left five people dead, including a cop beaten to death with a fire extinguisher.
Later that evening, Caldwell sent a video on Facebook apparently taken within the riot, followed by a message describing his involvement, authorities allege.
“Us storming the castle,” he wrote in part. “I am such an instigator!”
Caldwell followed up that message with another describing the role of the Proud Boys, another violent far-right group.
Donovan Crowl, an alleged member of the Oath Keepers, seen at the Capitol riot.Jessica Watkins
“Proud boys scuffled with cops and drove them inside to hide,” he wrote. “Breached the doors. One guy made it all the way to the house [of Representatives] floor, another to [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi’s office. A good time.”
In a third message, Caldwell called for similar operations at the state level, according to court documents.
“We need to do this at the local level,” he wrote. “Lets [sic] storm the capitol in Ohio. Tell me when!”
Armed demonstrators assembled outside statehouses in Columbus, Ohio, and other state capitols over the weekend, but no significant violence was reported.
It was not immediately clear whether Caldwell had retained legal representation ahead of a court appearance.
