Judge says former Army Ranger used his training in Capitol riot

A federal judge on Tuesday said a former Army Ranger who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 used his training or experience to organize the other rioters, which made their actions “more effective, more forceful and more violent.”

CNN reported that Robert Morss, an alleged Capitol rioter who is facing nine charges in connection to the attack, was ordered to remain in jail before his trial after a federal judge ruled that he was too dangerous to be released.

The Justice Department released new video of Morss this week, which showed him taking a lead in coordinating the rioters during the attack, according to CNN.

Magistrate Judge Michael Harvey said Morss was “willing to use his training or experience to organize with the rioters on January 6 … thereby making their actions more effective, more forceful and more violent,” according to CNN.

He continued, contending that the rioters “appeared disorganized” until Morss, who was “in his element” because of his background as an Army Ranger, began giving instructions.

Morss reportedly served in the Army from 2011 and 2015, when he was deployed to Afghanistan three times. When he retired from the military, he was a specialist.

He was arrested June 11 and charged with nine counts in connection to the riots, including assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees; civil disorder; robbery of the personal property of the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding.

The FBI seized a “fully constructed” Lego set of the U.S. Capitol from his home, according to a court filing dated July 2.

Authorities also recovered clothing and other items from Morss’s home that matched what he reportedly carried on Jan. 6, including a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, a neck gaiter, a military utility bag, a black tourniquet and military fatigues.

They also found a notebook that included “Step by Step To Create Hometown Militia.”

“While Jan 6 may have passed, the fight for Mr. Morss continues,” Harvey said, according to CNN.

More than 535 people have been arrested so far in connection to the Capitol riot, according to CBS News. On July 27, the select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 attack is scheduled to hold its first hearing.