Radio Host Darrell Neely Arrested for Role in Capitol Riot

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Darrell Neely

Federal authorities allege that right-wing radio host Darrell Neely stole a baseball cap worn by a US Capitol Police officer during the Jan. 6 riot, then wore it during a live airing of his show. Three witnesses at the Global Enlightenment Radio Network, run by Neely, told the FBI that Neely bragged about stealing various items from an officer-including a dark-colored jacket with a silver badge, which he reportedly described as a "souvenir." Neely also claimed he took china plates from inside the Capitol in messages and video calls placed in the midst of the riot, according to an affidavit.

The Washington Post reports that one witness, who saw Neely in person on Jan. 6, said he was "in possession of four china plates and a USCP jacket, badge, name tag, and baseball cap" and "boasted that he had attacked a USCP officer." FBI agents who tuned in to livestreams of Neely's show in the days after the riot saw Neely wearing the cap. Agents later tracked down the officer to whom the hat belonged, who claimed his or her belongings disappeared after they were removed during "decontamination from lacrimal spray," meaning tear gas.

Neely-who's allegedly seen "holding a marijuana cigarette" in footage from inside the Capitol, per the Post, told agents that he only attended the riot to film because he believed the events to be newsworthy. Neely was arrested Monday in Washington, DC, and has been charged with theft of government property, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct inside a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.