Utah activist John Sullivan was in court Friday afternoon, one day after being booked at the Tooele County Jail on a warrant for allegedly participating in the rioting at the U.S. Capitol.
Sullivan, appearing from the jail virtually, waived his right to an identity hearing, meaning he doesn’t dispute he is the person identified in the charging documents.
Sullivan was charged in federal court in the District of Columbia with civil disorder, being in a restricted area and disorderly conduct.
Prosecutor Bryan Reeves asked for a detention hearing, alleging Sullivan is a risk for obstructing justice and trying to threaten witnesses or jurors. Judge Daphne Oberg said a preponderance of evidence for those claims is needed to get the detention hearing.
Reeves brought up an existing case against Sullivan for his involvement in a protest in Provo, where he allegedly encouraged people to block roads and kicked a car while threatening the driver.
Defense attorney Mary Corporon said there is no determination of guilt in that case yet, because it is still pending.
Reeves wanted to reschedule the appearance so they can bring witnesses. Corporon objected, saying Sullivan will be detained for four days since it is a holiday weekend.
Oberg said the law doesn’t allow her to detain Sullivan even temporarily without the threshold being met. She said she can release him with conditions, while the prosecution prepares for a detention hearing.
Oberg proposed conditions including having full-time employment, not changing residence without permission, not leaving the state or country without permission and not having contact with any witnesses, victims or defendants (if there are any).
Sullivan is not to use firearms and will have to undergo a mental health treatment and any treatment prescribed. Oberg said she will order he take any medications prescribed, and if the defense finds any issues with specific medicine they can come to the court about it.
Sullivan will have to pay for said treatment. He will also have to surrender his passport and will be monitored with location monitoring technology and will have to pay for the cost of the monitoring.
Oberg restricted Sullivan to his residence unless he is getting treatment, going to religious services, seeing his lawyer or attending court, working or doing something educational. He will need to submit his residence to a search.
Reeves was asked for his thoughts on those conditions and said the defendant uses social media to “incite” so he proposed no internet usage as well. He also didn’t want Sullivan’s “employment” to be through Sullivan’s organization. Corporon said Sullivan is willing to obtain “more traditional” employment. She said she had another client who was prohibited from internet access and could only find a job harvesting hay because employers require employees use internet access in the 21st century.
Reeves, who said Sullivan “thrives in chaos” and will pose as a member of different organizations for attention, said he wanted internet monitoring so Sullivan can’t incite from his room. But, Reeves said he doesn’t want to put undue burden on Sullivan’s employment prospects.
Oberg said she would impose a computer/internet monitoring program. This will allow Sullivan approved computer and internet use, but all digital media and internet devices will be subject to search and the installation of monitoring software and hardware.
Oberg also ordered that Sullivan no longer work for Insurgence USA but said he doesn’t have to shut down his company. Corporon asked if he can manage bank accounts and file tax returns, and the prosecutor says Sullivan can wrap up business. Corporon said Sullivan will go “dormant” moving forward
This story will be updated.
