A Florida man and member of the Oath Keepers has been arrested for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
David Moerschel, 43, of Punta Gorda, is charged with federal offenses that include conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding.
According to court documents, Moerschel and others planned and participated in an operation to interfere with the certification of the electoral college vote on January 6, and coordinated with others in advance, using websites and social media to recruit other participants before traveling to Washington.
Moerschel also attended GoToMeetings with individuals affiliated with the Oath Keepers, with session names such as ‘ok florida,’ ‘florida dc op planning chat’ and ‘dc planning call.’
On January 6, Moerschel was captured on surveillance footage with other Oath Keepers, including charged defendant Kelly Meggs, walking towards the eastern façade of the Capitol at 2:27 p.m.
Moerschel joined in a military-stack formation of individuals moving up through the crowd toward the east doors of the Capitol.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The investigation remains ongoing, with more than 535 individuals arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The charges contained in any criminal complaint or indictment are allegations.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington and Tampa Field Offices.
Related Federal Cases
- David Moerschel, Capitol Breach, Florida 2021 · Washington
- Roberto Minuta, Seditious Conspiracy and Obstruction, Texas 2021 · Washington
- David Michael Camden, Assaulting Law Enforcement, Washington DC, 2021 · Washington
- Bryan Roger Bishop, Assaulting Law Enforcement, Washington DC, 2021 · Washington
- Florida Man, Assaulting Law Enforcement, Washington DC, 2021 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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