Tampa Man Accused Of Helping To Plan Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Siege

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Florida man has been indicted for conspiring with the Oath Keepers to plan the siege on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of counting the electoral votes for the presidential election and resulted in the deaths of fifive people.

David Moerschel, 43, of Tampa (the FBI previously listed him as being from Punta Gorda), along with Brian Ulrich, 43, of Guyton, Georgia, were indicted Monday on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds.

Moerschel is additionally charged with destruction of government property and aiding and abetting.

Ulrich and Moerschel are the latest of 18 defendants to be charged with planning and participating in the siege.

Moerschel, a self-proclaimed member of the Oath Keepers, was originally arrested and charged with conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding on July 6. The Oath Keepers are a far-right anti-government militia group that the FBI describes as "loosely organized."

As alleged in the indictment, Moerschel and Ulrich are accused of planning and participating in an operation to interfere with the certification of the electoral college vote by coordinating the breach of the Capitol using websites and social media to recruit participants and traveling to Washington, D.C., with paramilitary gear and supplies including firearms, tactical vests with plates, helmets and radio equipment.

According to the indictment, Moerschel attended planning meetings prior to Jan. 6, including a GoToMeeting titled “florida dc op planning chat” on Dec. 31 and “dc planning call” on Jan. 3.

He's also accused of joining an invitation-only encrypted Signal group message titled “OK FL DC OP Jan 6” which Moerschel, co-defendants and leaders of the conspiracy used to communicate with one another and coordinate activity, according to the FBI.

On Jan. 4, co-defendant Kelly Meggs, the self-described leader of the Florida Oath Keepers, wrote in the chat: “Rally 3 pm if possible and need location DM but only those who will caravan.”

On the same day, co-defendant, accused ring leader Jessica Watkins of Ohio, wrote in the chat: “Where can we drop off weapons to the QRF team? I’d like to have the weapons secured prior to the Op tomorrow.”

Similarly, Ulrich was in communication with other defendants at least as early as Dec. 31 when he joined an invitation-only Signal group message titled “DC OP: Jan 6 21.” Ulrich messaged the chat: “The more patriots the merrier ‘gonna be wild” and “Someone can tell me if I’m crazy but I’m planning on having a backpack for regular use and then a separate backpack with my ammo load out with some basics that I can [just] switch to is shit truly the fan blades…” He added, “I will be the guy running around with the budget AR.”

On Jan. 1, Ulrich messaged co-defendant Joshua James of Alabama on Signal and asked, “Hey we told to bring guns and maybe stage them in VA?? But you are showing hotels in DC for Alabama. Are we bring[ing] guns or no[.] If so how will that work?”

James responded, “[We’re] working on a Farm location[.] Some are bringing long rifles some sidearms…I’m bringing sidearm.”

Ulrich traveled to Washington on Jan. 4 and stayed at the Mayflower Hotel.

On the afternoon of Jan. 6, at 2:22 p.m., Moerschel is accused of unlawfully entering the restricted Capitol grounds with several of the co-defendants.

At 2:35 p.m., Moerschel joined with others to form a column or “stack” of individuals wearing Oath Keepers clothing, patches, insignia and battle gear. Together, the stack maneuvered in an organized fashion up the steps on the east side of the Capitol, each member keeping at least one hand on the shoulder of the other in front of him.

Around 2:40 p.m., the stack forcibly entered the Capitol. While inside, the stack continued to move in an organized fashion and communicate with one another. Moerschel exited the Capitol at 2:54 p.m.

Meanwhile, around 2:30 p.m., Ulrich rode with others in a pair of golf carts toward the Capitol, at times swerving around law enforcement vehicles.

Sometime after 2:33 p.m., Ulrich stood by co-defendants James Minuta of Texas and Jonathan Walden of Alabama as they aggressively berated and taunted law enforcement officers in riot gear guarding the perimeter of the Capitol near the east side of the building.

At 3:21 p.m, Ulrich entered the east side rotunda doors. He exited at 3:33 p.m. through the same doors, according to the indictment.

Shortly after 4 p.m., Ulrich and Moerschel gathered with co-defendants and others approximately 100 feet from the Capitol near the northeast corner of the building.

The superseding indictment unsealed Monday adds charges for previously arrested defendants, including Laura Steele of North Carolina, who is further charged with one count of civil disorder and tampering with documents and aiding and abetting.

As alleged, on Jan. 7, Steele and co-defendant Graydon Young of Englewood, who pleaded guilty in June, used a burn-pit in Steele’s backyard to burn and destroy evidence of their involvement in the attack on the Capitol.

Previously arrested defendant Jason Dolan of Wellington in North Florida is further charged with one count of civil disorder and aiding and abetting for pulling on the arm of a Capitol Police officer who was trying to hold back rioters who had broken through the barriers and started climbing up the stairs leading to the east rotunda door.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and FBI’s Tampa and Atlanta field offices.

In the seven months since Jan. 6, more than 570 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 170 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

The FBI is still attempting to identify others who took part in the siege on the Capitol. Photos are posted on the FBI's "Capitol Violence" website. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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