The responsible plea is one other main step within the prison case towards the Oath Keepers, as prosecutors work to point out how they imagine the group of males plotted to stash weapons throughout the Potomac River, go to the Capitol and cease Congress’ certification of the Electoral School vote. The case has grown dramatically over the previous 12 months, relying partially on explosive personal messages between Oath Keepers leaders, video of the group from the week they had been in DC, and the cooperation of not less than six different Capitol riot defendants with ties to the Oath Keepers group.
“Did you do this, agree with [Oath Keepers leader Stewart] Rhodes and develop a plan to cease the lawful switch of presidential energy, by power, on January 6, 2021” US District Choose Amit Mehta requested through the listening to on Friday.
“Sure, your honor” Ulrich stated.
Rhodes, who can also be charged with seditious conspiracy, has pleaded not responsible.
Ulrich, who at occasions seemed to be crying through the listening to, additionally agreed that he “meant to affect and have an effect on conduct of the USA authorities and to retaliate towards the USA authorities.”
At one level, Mehta requested whether or not Ulrich wanted time to collect himself. Ulrich initially declined, saying that “it is not going to get any simpler,” however later accepted — taking a second to audibly weep and gasp for air.
Ulrich, who’s from Georgia, was a part of an Oath Keepers management Sign chat the place he, Rhodes and others deliberate for January 6. The messages, that are quoted in courtroom paperwork, present how Ulrich repeatedly requested about bringing weapons to DC as a part of a fast response power.
“Somebody can inform me if I am loopy however I am planning on having a backpack for normal use after which a separate backpack with my ammo” Ulrich messaged the management chat in late December, including that “I would be the man working round with the ‘price range AR.'” In one other message days later, Ulrich requested Joshua James about firearms and a possible plan to “stage them in VA.”
Different messages that Ulrich despatched to members of the Georgia Oath Keepers stated that “civil struggle” is likely to be mandatory if then President-elect Biden was inaugurated.
“We should win. We should defeat these radicals,” Ulrich wrote in a single message, “there’s treason at work right here. When somebody dedicated treason it used to imply one thing. you used to pay along with your life!” In one other message, Ulrich referenced a “Ruby ridge situation that we will rally behind.”
Ulrich, James, and Oath Keeper Mark Grods traveled collectively to DC on January 4. In his personal plea settlement, James admitted to bringing a semi-automatic handgun on the journey, and stated Grods and others introduced firearms, together with a rifle, a shotgun, a semi-automatic handgun, and ammunition to a Virginia resort. Grods has additionally pleaded responsible and is cooperating with the investigation.