A Jan. 6 defendant who was arrested near the home of former President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., with weapons and ammunition in his van had threatened to blow up the vehicle at a government facility the day before, federal prosecutors alleged.
in Washington, D.C., with weapons and ammunition in his van had threatened to blow up the vehicle at a government facility the day before, federal prosecutors alleged in a new court filing.
"He made several statements indicating that he intended to blow up his vehicle at NIST, including a statement that he had a detonator, that he was on a 'one way mission,' and that the vehicle was self-driving so he would not have to be anywhere near it when it 'went off,'" prosecutors alleged, noting there is a nuclear reactor on the agency's 579-acre campus.
Secret Service agents tried to take him into custody, eventually arresting him after a short pursuit on foot. An FBI bomb squad and K9 unit from the Metropolitan Police Department were called to the scene, and the dog detected gunpowder in Taranto's van. Investigators discovered"hundreds of rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition and two firearms inside," prosecutors said, as well as a machete. No explosives were found in the vehicle.
In the same video in which he allegedly threatened to blow up the NIST headquarters, Taranto"made ominous comments referencing Speaker McCarthy, saying, 'Coming at you McCarthy. Can't stop what's coming. Nothing can stop what's coming,'" prosecutors said. Taranto's wife allegedly told investigators that his move to Washington two months ago was motivated by McCarthy's offer to make more Jan. 6 security footage public.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jan. 6 defendant who cased Obama’s neighborhood made week-long series of threatsNew court papers from prosecutors paint a picture of Taylor Taranto as a man addled by conspiracy theories while having an arsenal of weapons prior to his arrest.
Read more »
Will Taylor Swift Change ‘Better Than Revenge’ on Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)?Fans think the Taylor’s Version track may include a certain soundbite.
Read more »
Rioter Arrested Near Obama’s Home Wanted to Blow Up His Van: FedsTaylor Taranto, a 37-year-old alleged Jan. 6 rioter arrested near former President Barack Obama’s home last week, “intended to blow up his vehicle” and made threats against the neighborhood’s residents.
Read more »
Perspective | We predicted the books on Obama’s 2023 summer reading listThe former president has varied tastes — but they’re not wholly unpredictable. We’ve got our money on these sci-fi, history and fiction titles.
Read more »
Barack Obama Honors Daughter Malia on Her 25th Birthday -- See the PicMichelle Obama also penned a tribute to her 'wonderful' eldest daughter.
Read more »