Federal prosecutors say the two men shown here outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, are Jesse Watson and Tucker Weston. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia)

Federal prosecutors say the two men shown here outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, are Jesse Watson and Tucker Weston. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia)

Charges: Lynnwood men took selfies, raised Trump banner in Jan. 6 riot

Tucker Weston and Jesse Watson, a pair of Lynnwood roommates, are accused of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol during the breach.

LYNNWOOD — Two Lynnwood men were arrested Wednesday on federal charges in connection with the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Federal prosecutors say Tucker Weston and Jesse Watson were two of hundreds who stormed the Capitol based on debunked claims of a “stolen” election. The mob supporting then-President Donald Trump tried to halt the presidential election certification process.

Weston, 34, faces allegations of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, as well as interfering with officers during civil disorder, both felonies. He’s also charged with multiple misdemeanors.

Watson, 33, faces charges of entering a restricted building or grounds and violent entry or disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.

On Wednesday, the two men made initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Seattle. They were released pending proceedings in the nation’s capital.

Reached by phone Thursday afternoon, Weston declined to comment. Asked about the charges, he said, “How did you find about them?”

On Jan. 4, 2021, Watson and Weston flew from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Dulles International Airport, just outside Washington D.C., airline records reportedly show. From Jan. 5 to 7, Watson and Weston stayed at a hotel less than 3 miles from the U.S. Capitol, according to the charges filed Tuesday in federal court in Washington D.C.

The FBI received a tip identifying Weston, who wore a red Trump beanie, in a photo from the insurrection, the new charges say.

Weston also identified himself by name that day, saying into a handheld radio, “That’s affirmative. Jesse, this is Tucker,” as featured at the 7 minute and 51 second mark of The New York Times documentary, “Day of Rage: How Trump Supporters Took the U.S. Capitol.”

Numerous photos and videos reportedly showed Weston and Watson outside and inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. Federal prosecutors allege the men illegally entered the Capitol building and moved separately for much of the day.

On Jan. 6, 2021, metal barricades and fences were placed around the U.S. Capitol to keep the public from disrupting the election certification proceedings happening inside. A mob overran the line of officers guarding the barricades and dismantled them. Federal agents allege Weston can be seen in a photo participating in the riot.

Federal agents say photo shows Tucker Weston leading a crowd breaking a metal barricade to advance on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia)

Federal agents say photo shows Tucker Weston leading a crowd breaking a metal barricade to advance on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia)

Weston can reportedly later be seen on restricted grounds on the west front of the Capitol. The Lynnwood man stood at the front there with a group of rioters who pulled down a barricade. They proceeded to the Capitol building. As the barricade was pulled down, Weston turned to the rest of the mob and celebrated with two fingers lifted from each hand.

As they advanced to the building, the mob confronted police officers, according to the charges. In the confrontation, Weston allegedly shoved officers.

Video reportedly depicts Watson with Weston near the Capitol. But for most of the day, they were separated. In fact, phone records show Watson trying repeatedly to contact his roommate on the afternoon of the insurrection.

At about 3:09 p.m. local time, Watson can be seen on security footage entering the Capitol through the Senate wing door, according to court papers. While doing so, he appeared to be filming with his cell phone.

This security footage reportedly shows Jesse Watson, of Lynnwood, entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia)

This security footage reportedly shows Jesse Watson, of Lynnwood, entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia)

Watson then walked to the crypt in the Capitol. While there, he tried to help another rioter hang a blue “TRUMP” banner on a pillar. When police approached them, Watson placed the banner on a piece of tape on the pillar and walked away, according to the charges.

About 12 minutes after entering, Watson left the building through a broken window, according to the allegations penned by a FBI special agent.

Records show Watson’s email account through Google was connected to services in and around the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, from about 2:04 p.m. local time to 4:16 p.m., according to court documents. The data was consistent with his movements shown on photos that day.

Google records also indicated Watson opened a map with various event locations in Washington D.C. They included “Stop the steal 10am”, “march on congress 11am” and “Joint session (the count) 1pm,” the charges allege.

At about 3:14 p.m., security footage showed Weston entering the Capitol through a broken window next to the Senate wing door, where Watson reportedly made his way inside. Weston paused in the window and appeared to begin filming. Later, he appeared to be smiling and taking selfies, according to court papers.

This security footage reportedly shows Tucker Weston filming inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia)

This security footage reportedly shows Tucker Weston filming inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia)

After briefly staying in the Capitol, Weston reportedly exited through the Senate Wing Door.

At about 3:49 p.m., the two Lynnwood men could be seen walking together outside the building, the charges say. Nearly an hour later, they were still outside. Public video also depicts Weston kicking media equipment near the Capitol.

A warrant for the arrests of Weston and Watson were issued this week. On Wednesday, they were arrested in Lynnwood.

The Lynnwood men are not the first people from Snohomish County to be charged with unlawful conduct in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. Daniel Lyons Scott, a Proud Boy with ties to Arlington, faces nine federal charges for allegedly instigating violence that day. That case remains active.

Prosecutors have charged about 900 people in the insurrection. Hundreds have pleaded guilty. In-custody sentences have ranged from a few days in jail to a decade in prison.

In 2006, Snohomish County prosecutors charged Watson, then 17, with lighting a car on fire in Lynnwood and walking away. At the time, investigators asked him why he did it.

“It just seemed like the thing to do,” Watson responded, according to court records.

He pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree arson. A Snohomish County Superior Court judge vacated the conviction when Watson met the requirements of a deferred prosecution.

In 2017, a judge granted Watson’s petition to restore his gun rights after that felony conviction as a child.

Seattle-based attorney Michele Shaw was appointed as Watson’s lawyer in the federal case. She didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Court records show federal public defender Dennis Carroll was appointed as Weston’s lawyer. Carroll declined to comment, noting Weston will be assigned an attorney in Washington D.C. to represent him in the case there.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.

Talk to us

More in Local News

Marysville firefighters respond to a 12-year-old boy who fell down a well Tuesday May 30, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Photo provided by Marysville Fire District)
Marysville firefighters save boy who fell 20 feet into well

The 12-year-old child held himself up by grabbing on to a plastic pipe while firefighters worked to save him.

Highway 9 is set to be closed in both directions for a week as construction crews build a roundabout at the intersection with Vernon Road. (Washington State Department of Transportation)
Weeklong closure coming to Highway 9 section in Lake Stevens

Travelers should expect delays or find another way from Friday to Thursday between Highway 204 and Lundeen Parkway.

Students arriving off the bus get in line to score some waffles during a free pancake and waffle breakfast at Lowell Elementary School on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
800 free pancakes at Everett’s Lowell Elementary feed the masses

The annual breakfast was started to connect the community and the school, as well as to get people to interact.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring speaks at the groundbreaking event for the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
$123M project starting on Highway 529 interchange, I-5 HOV lane

A reader wondered why the highway had a lane closure despite not seeing work done. Crews were waiting on the weather.

Justin Bell was convicted earlier this month of first-degree assault for a December 2017 shooting outside a Value Village in Everett. (Caleb Hutton / Herald file)
Court: Snohomish County jurors’ opaque masks didn’t taint verdict

During the pandemic, Justin Bell, 32, went on trial for a shooting. Bell claims his right to an impartial jury was violated.

Gary Fontes uprights a tree that fell over in front of The Fontes Manor — a miniature handmade bed and breakfast — on Friday, May 12, 2023, at his home near Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s mini-Frank Lloyd Wright builds neighborhood of extra tiny homes

A tiny lighthouse, a spooky mansion and more: Gary Fontes’ miniature world of architectural wonders is one-twelfth the size of real life.

Will Steffener
Inslee appoints Steffener as Superior Court judge

Attorney Will Steffener will replace Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Janice Ellis, who is retiring in June.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Report of downed hot air balloon turns up farmer’s tarp near Snohomish

Two 911 callers believed they saw a hot air balloon crash, leading to a major search-and-rescue response. It was a false alarm.

A few weeks before what could be her final professional UFC fight, Miranda Granger grimaces as she pushes a 45-pound plate up her driveway on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Her daughter Austin, age 11 months, is strapped to her back. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Daily Herald staff wins 5 honors at annual journalism competition

The Herald got one first-place win and four runner-up spots in SPJ’s Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest.

Most Read