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Utah man arrested after Capitol riot is accused of violating conditions of release

Activist John Sullivan is alleged to have violated his approved internet usage multiple times.

(Courtesy of the Tooele County Sheriff’s Department) Utah activist John Sullivan was booked at the Tooele County Jail on a warrant for allegedly participating in the rioting at the U.S. Capitol. Sullivan was released from jail, but in a court document filed Jan. 27, 2021, he is accused of violating some of the conditions of his release.

Utah activist John Sullivan, who was arrested for allegedly participating in the Jan. 6 rioting at the U.S. Capitol, was released from jail earlier this month on the condition that he follow rules including staying off social media. Now, he has been accused by a pretrial service officer of violating those conditions of release.

Sullivan was charged in federal court in the District of Columbia with with civil disorder, being in a restricted area and disorderly conduct. Sullivan told The Salt Lake Tribune he attended the rioting to film it and watch history, but a government affidavit alleges he was not a quiet observer. Citing Sullivan’s own videos as evidence, the affidavit claims he broke a window and yelled things such as “We accomplished this sh--. We did this together,” and, “We are all a part of this history. ... Let’s burn this s--- down.”

At a Jan. 15 court appearance, prosecutor Bryan Reeves asked for Sullivan to remain in jail, claiming he is a risk for trying to threaten witnesses or jurors. Judge Daphne Oberg said Reeves lacked the evidence needed to keep Sullivan locked up. However, Oberg set a number of conditions of release including that Sullivan undergo a mental health evaluation and be employed full-time.

Reeves also asked that Sullivan’s internet use be monitored to prevent him from going on social media to “incite” people.

In a court document filed Wednesday, U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Josh Cahoon claimed that Sullivan violated his approved internet usage on four different occasions. Oberg issued a court summons for Sullivan based on the allegation.

Mary Corporon, Sullivan’s lawyer, declined to comment on the allegations.