The U.S. Justice Department has reported the arrest of a man from North Carolina, who is believed to be a chapter leader of the Proud Boys. Federal prosecutors accuse him of aiding rioters convicted of seditious conspiracy in knocking down barriers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
According to a statement of facts outlining the specifics of his purported actions on Jan. 6, prosecutors have revealed that they commenced an inquiry into Thaxton’s activities early in 2021 and questioned him at his residence in May of that year. During the interview, an FBI agent investigating the matter stated that Thaxton confessed to having been present in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6 and that he had been apprehended later that same evening for flouting the curfew order that had been put in place as the mob took over the Capitol.
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According to investigators, they were able to identify the same flashlight that was seen in footage captured near the Washington Monument where the Proud Boys had assembled before heading to the Capitol.
While Thaxton was caught on camera damaging barriers at the Washington Monument, he briefly removed the partial face covering he was wearing, allowing prosecutors to identify him more easily.
According to prosecutors, Thaxton joined the ranks of rioters at the Capitol’s lower west plaza after marching with convicted seditious conspirators Ethan Nordean and Joe Biggs from the monument to the Capitol.
In this image, Jay Thaxton is shown bending down and allegedly tampering with a fence’s anchor in the concrete, as indicated by the yellow circle. Standing to his right is Ethan Nordean, a convicted member of the Proud Boys, sporting dark sunglasses and a backward cap. Next to Nordean is Joseph Biggs, another convicted member of the Proud Boys, wearing a flannel jacket and black beanie. These photos are courtesy of the U.S. Justice Department.
According to the FBI’s statement of facts, Thaxton and his accomplices were faced with nothing but a line of police and a sturdy black metal fence firmly rooted in the concrete. As the crowd behind them grew in numbers, the police were forced to retreat. The Proud Boys’ leaders also attempted to tear down the fence by pulling on it.
The Justice Department has released a photo depicting a large black metal fence that was forcefully ripped out by Jay Thaxton, resulting in a breach of police lines. The fence can be seen anchored into the ground in the photo provided by the department.
During his deposition by the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol, Thaxton claimed to have heard the name “Ethan Nordean” before but said he wouldn’t be able to recognize him from photos. However, photographs from various locations, including the lower west plaza, near the Washington Monument, and during the march to the Capitol, show Thaxton and Nordean in close proximity on multiple occasions. While Thaxton didn’t recognize Nordean, he did acknowledge knowing Joe Biggs, who had gained a significant following on the right-wing due to his association with Alex Jones.
During the congressional investigation, Thaxton was asked if he had any affiliation with the Proud Boys during the events of Jan. 6. However, Thaxton was hesitant to give a straight answer to the question.
During his testimony to the Jan. 6 committee, the transcript records reveal that he claimed responsibility for leading that group.
Thaxton stated that he wasn’t marching alongside anyone.
