Yellville Man Enters Innocent Plea to Charges Involving U.S. Capitol Breach

A federal public defender entered an innocent plea on behalf of a 38-year-old Yellville man to four misdemeanor charges related to the U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6.

Jon Thomas “J.T.” Mott was arraigned in federal court via teleconference. Mott’s attorney, Michelle M. Peterson, entered the plea and asked for a 60-day continuance in the case, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Mott is charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. All four charges carry a penalty of fines and up to six months in prison.

Arrested in May by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mott allegedly can be seen on a Freedom News video inside the Rotunda area of the Capitol during the riot. The video shows Mott pouring water on another person’s face, a behavior indicative of recovery from tear gas or another similar chemical irritant which was deployed by law enforcement in an effort to subdue the rioters entering the Capitol.

A distinctive tattoo can be seen on the ring finger of the man pouring water in the Freedom News video, and Mott has the same tattoo on his finger, the FBI argues.

Footage from body cameras worn by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers reportedly recorded Mott inside the Rotunda area of the Capitol on Jan. 6. In one body-cam video, Mott can allegedly be seen yelling at MPD officers. In another he allegedly tells an MPD officer “don’t touch me,” and “if you don’t touch me, I won’t touch you.”

U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth set the next status case for Sept. 23.

The Democrat-Gazette reports the judge also told Mott, “Y ou lucked out. You got one of our favorite public defenders.”

Lamberth also discussed the possibility of a plea, according to the paper.

“I would say, Mr. Mott, a lot of these cases end up in pleas. I don’t know where this will end up, but to get it in that stage, your attorney’s got to figure out as many facts as they can, and the government has to figure out as many facts as they can – look at all the tapes and evidence they have.”

The judge adds, “It takes some time to do that, so don’t get too excited. If you want an early trial date, I’ll give it to you, but you may not want it until you talk to your attorney and talk about what’s in your best interests. Talk to your attorney first before you get too excited. Your attorney has been down the block a few times. I know her well and she is a good attorney.”

Mott was one of three Arkansans charged in connection with the Capitol breach.

(From: KTLO)