Judge Eases Conditions Of Release For ‘Lectern Guy’: Report

PARRISH, FL — A federal judge eased the conditions of release for Adam Johnson, the Parrish man arrested for participating in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol building riot, in a teleconferenced hearing Tuesday in Washington, DC, the Bradenton Herald reported.

Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey said Johnson would no longer be GPS monitored, have to abide by a curfew or be subjected to a bond if he violates his conditions of release, reports said. He also said the 36-year-old would no longer be subject to drug testing.

Johnson, referred to as many by “lectern guy,” was arrested Jan. 8 after a photo of him carrying a U.S. House lectern through the Capitol building went viral. He was part of a pro-Trump mob protesting Pres. Joe Biden’s win over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. The lectern was later found in the Red corridor of the Capitol’s Senate wing, reports said.

Johnson has been charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, according to a news release from the United States Department of Justice. Additional charges include one count of theft of government property, and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

He was released from jail on a $25,000 surety bond after appearing before a federal judge at the federal courthouse in Tampa Jan. 11.

As a condition of his bond release, Johnson was initially required to wear a GPS ankle monitor, adhere to a daily curfew and be subjected to drug testing. These three conditions were overturned by Harvey, who said there is “no indication that he is a flight risk” and no basis for drug testing.

Johnson was also forced to surrender his passport and is prohibited from possessing any firearms. Additionally, his travel has been restricted to the Middle District of Florida and Washington, DC for court, reports said.

His next court appearance is set for April 19.