By DAMIEN FISHER, InDepthNH.org
Jason Riddle, the Keene man who allegedly took part in the Jan. 6 mob action at the U.S. Capitol, apologized to federal Judge Andrea Johnstone during his removal hearing on Tuesday.
“I just want to apologize for my behavior yesterday,” Riddle said at the end of the hearing.
Riddle was arrested Monday afternoon in Keene by FBI agents on charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, theft of government property, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on capitol grounds.
Riddle is seen in video and photos he supplied to the media taking a bottle of wine out of a Congressional office, and he allegedly stole Senate Procedure manual and sold it on eBay for $40.
Riddle was held overnight in the Cheshire County House of Corrections in Keene and appeared in the United States District Court in Concord via video.
Johnstone stopped Riddle from going into detail about whatever transpired on Monday, but noted he looked to be in good health.
As part of his condition of release, Riddle is ordered to stay away from drugs and alcohol and undertake a mental health treatment program.
Riddle supplied much of the evidence used against him in FBI Special Agent Kevin Helson’s affidavit. Helson cites Riddle’s first interview with an NBC outlet in which Riddle admitted to going into the Capitol building along with the rioters.
“I just, I Just had to see it,” Riddle said in the interview.
“When asked (by the NBC reporter) if Riddle regretted it, Riddle responded, ‘No,’” Helson writes in his affidavit.
Riddle is also quoted by NBC as saying he “poured a glass of wine and watched it all unfold,” while in the building and watching the violence.
“They were smashing computers, and printers, and breaking things, and throwing papers and lamps around,” Riddle said in the NBC interview, according to Helson’s affidavit.
Riddle supplied reporters with video and photos he took of the action inside the building, including numerous videos and photos of himself. Many of the photos of Riddle are included in Helson’s affidavit.
Helson writes that FBI agents interviewed Riddle in Keene on Jan. 22 when executing a search warrant to obtain digital photos and video. During that interview, Riddle allegedly admitted to going in as part of a “break in” led by a “big dude.” Riddle also admitted to taking the Senate book and drinking the wine, according to Helson.
“Riddle also admitted that he stole a small Fox News football from the same office, but tossed it aside as he exited the Capitol building,” Nelson wrote.
Riddle told the agents that before they arrived he had tried to delete photos from his phone.
“Riddle also admitted that at some point after the Capitol incident, he had deleted some messages, photos, and videos of his D.C. trip from his phone, during what he termed a ‘delete frenzy,’” Helson wrote.
Riddle is due to appear in the federal court in the District of Columbia on Feb. 16. That is likely to be one via video. Riddle is currently barred from entering D.C. unless part of the court case.
Riddle denounced the violence of the riots in his media interviews. He is a former corrections officer who ran unsuccessfully for Cheshire County Commission as a Republican.
Riddle is now the second New Hampshire person charged for his role in the Jan. 6 riots. Last month, Thomas Gallagher, 61, of Bridgewater was arrested and charged for being part of a disorderly group inside the Capitol building.
Troy Police Chief David Ellis caused a controversy when he was interviewed as being at the protest that took place ahead of the riot on Jan. 6. Ellis talked to a reporter and denounced the violence against police officers perpetrated by the rioters. Five people were killed in the violence, including a police officer.
