# Florida Man charged with stealing Speaker's podium

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Created:** [January 10, 2021, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157 "2021-01-10T02:28:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 8

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2021, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/141 "2021-02-20T00:16:10Z")

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Don’t know if it’s been posted here before: Desk Man was armed with a stun gun when he was in Pelosi’s office. Also, he waived his Miranda rights when he was interviewed.

> **[Man Who Kicked Up His Feet on Desk in Nancy Pelosi's Office Had a Stun Gun,...](https://lawandcrime.com/u-s-capitol-siege/man-who-kicked-up-his-feet-on-desk-in-nancy-pelosis-office-had-a-stun-gun-feds-say/)**
>
> The smirking photo of Richard “Bigo” Barnett, the 60-year-old self-proclaimed white nationalist seen with his feet on a desk in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, quickly became an iconic image of defilement of the seat of power. A close-up image showed...

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**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2021, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/142 "2021-02-20T05:11:42Z")

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_One defendant, who was among those earlier indicted, Jessica Watkins, wrote in the weeks before Jan. 6 that if Mr. Biden became president, “our way of life as we know it is over,” the indictment said._

_Ms. Watkins, 38, who served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army from 2001-2003 under her previous name, Jeremy David Watkins, was deployed to Afghanistan, and received an “other than honorable discharge” after “the Army determined that my presenting as a female was unacceptable for a soldier,”_

Okay, a trans Trumpist military veteran.

I think I’m going to slot this person in next to the Mongolian Neo-Nazis in my mental filing cabinet. This world really never ceases to be an interesting place.

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/143 "2021-02-20T16:19:44Z")

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> [@Tamerlane](#):
>
> Okay, a trans Trumpist military veteran.
> 
> I think I’m going to slot this person in next to the Mongolian Neo-Nazis in my mental filing cabinet. This world really never ceases to be an interesting place.

Indeed it is!

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/144 "2021-02-24T00:44:43Z")

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Ex-Marine, ex-cop charged with participating in the Capitol riot and attacking a police officer with a pipe:

[https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/nbc-retired-nypd-officer-to-face-charges-for-alleged-pipe-attack-in-capitol-riot](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/nbc-retired-nypd-officer-to-face-charges-for-alleged-pipe-attack-in-capitol-riot)

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**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/145 "2021-02-28T00:54:15Z")

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It occurs to me that there might be a need for a counter-part to this group. Imagine a group of black, Latino, Asian, and sympathetic white veterans organizing to be available if needed. An “E Pluribus Unum” society, if you will.

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/146 "2021-03-02T05:31:10Z")

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And more details coming out about the planning and deliberation of the Proud Boys on January 6:

[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/prosecutors-fill-in-details-of-proud-boys-assault-on-capitol/ar-BB1e83Jj?ocid=SK2DDHP](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/prosecutors-fill-in-details-of-proud-boys-assault-on-capitol/ar-BB1e83Jj?ocid=SK2DDHP)

> [@](#):
>
> “Defendant — dressed all in black, wearing a tactical vest — led the Proud Boys through the use of encrypted communications and military-style equipment,” prosecutors allege, “and he led them with the specific plans to: split up into groups, attempt to break into the Capitol building from as many different points as possible, and prevent the Joint Session of Congress from Certifying the Electoral College results.”
> 
> Prosecutors say the Proud Boys never intended to hear then-President Donald Trump’s speech to supporters that day, when he urged them to march on the Capitol and “fight like hell” against Congress’ effort to certify the results of the 2020 election, a Trump defeat. Rather, Nordean led his allies “on a march around the Capitol” to position them at thinly guarded entrances.
> 
> The new details provide the most vivid account yet of the government’s effort to piece together the most sophisticated, coordinated efforts by militia groups to overtake the Capitol and the peaceful transfer of presidential power. Numerous members of the Proud Boys have already been charged for their role in the assault that day, including several indicted on Friday on conspiracy charges.

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/147 "2021-03-12T19:56:28Z")

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Federal Department of Justice asks for a 60 day extension under the Speedy Trial Act; says that the Capitol riot investigation is the most complex in US history;

[https://www.axios.com/capitol-riot-investigation-complex-7200484d-1943-41cd-be28-7102ab730ab5.html](https://www.axios.com/capitol-riot-investigation-complex-7200484d-1943-41cd-be28-7102ab730ab5.html)

> [@](#):
>
> **The big picture:** More than 300 suspects have been charged in connection with the attack, which FBI Director Christopher Wray has described as “domestic terrorism.”
> 
> - In addition to individual crimes like assault, trespassing and destruction of government property, federal prosecutors are investigating “conspiratorial activity” that began before Jan. 6.
> - The Justice Department expects that at least 100 more individuals will be charged, according to the filing.
> 
> **By the numbers:** A total of more than 900 search warrants have been executed in nearly every state and Washington, D.C. Documents and evidence compiled by investigators across dozens of federal and local law enforcement agencies include:
> 
> - More than 15,000 hours of surveillance and body-worn camera footage from the day of the attack.
> - Approximately 1,600 electronic devices and the results of hundreds of searches of electronic communications providers.
> - Over 210,000 tips, “of which a substantial portion include video, photo and social media.”
> - Over 80,000 reports and 93,000 attachments related to interviews of suspects and witnesses.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2021, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/148 "2021-03-26T13:22:20Z")

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And another family member turns in a rioter:

> **[NC man brags in a text: ‘We just took over the Capitol.’ Angry relative tips...](https://news.yahoo.com/nc-man-brags-text-just-203343509.html)**
>
> James ‘Les’ Little isn’t the first person from North Carolina to be turned in by family for the Jan. 6 riot.

Michael Gordon

Thu, March 25, 2021, 2:33 PM·3 min read

> [@](#):
>
> Les Little was texting with a family relative on Jan. 6 when he shared a secret:
> 
> “We just took over the Capitol,” the Catawba County man wrote from inside the building, according to court documents unsealed Thursday.
> 
> “And you are bragging?” the relative fired back in a fusillade of exclamation points and capital letters.
> 
> “’We’? THIS IS TREASON!!! IF YOU DON’T CONDEMN THIS, NEVER BOTHER SPEAKING TO ME AGAIN! HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE PEOPLE. IT’S A COUP! YOU OBVIOUSLY HATE AMERICA!!!”
> 
> Little replied: “We are stopping treason. Stealing elections is treason! “We’re not going to take it anymore!

Mr Little is now facing four federal charges.

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2021, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/149 "2021-03-26T13:29:02Z")

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That’s going to be an awkward Thanksgiving dinner in their household.

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**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2021, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/150 "2021-03-26T13:46:52Z")

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Especially since they are going to have to figure out prison visiting times.

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**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/151 "2021-03-26T13:57:53Z")

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That’s one prisoner who won’t be getting a file hidden in his turkey.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/152 "2022-02-26T20:08:12Z")

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And the wheels of justice have ground for Florida Man:

> **[January 6 rioter who carried Nancy Pelosi’s podium fined and sentenced](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/25/january-6-rioter-nancy-pelosi-podium-sentenced)**
>
> Floridian Adam Johnson shouted encouragement to rioters breaking down the doors to the House chamber

75 days in jail and $5,000 fine.

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**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/153 "2022-02-26T20:10:01Z")

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Enjoy jail, Captain Dickwad!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/154 "2022-02-26T21:10:10Z")

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I’m sure his employer (if he has one) will completely understand. /s

I hope this follows these assholes around for the rest of their lives.

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**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/155 "2022-02-26T23:01:53Z")

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I’m surprised that there’s not a Republican business network making sure none of these heroes goes without a job.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/156 "2022-02-26T23:52:23Z")

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“You want me to do WHAT??”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/157 "2022-02-27T04:33:36Z")

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Only 75 days!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/158 "2022-02-27T07:52:28Z")

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It was ~~powder cocaine~~ a podium not ~~crack~~ a lectern.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/159 "2022-02-27T18:48:09Z")

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> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> Only 75 days!

Yes. Seems pretty light to me seeing as how there are photos of him carrying it around inside the building. He at least entered a restricted area and messed with governmental property.

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-charged-with-stealing-speakers-podium/930157/160 "2022-02-27T19:41:53Z")

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To b3e fair, he didn’t actually steal it, or try to steal it. He picked it up and carried it around, and posed for photos, but he didn’t attempt to remove it or keep it. He has been convicted for his illegal entry into the building, which is correct. Picking up the lectern did not add to his crime.

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