Screenshot via YouTube
Adam Kokesh, the showy gun rights activist who made an early-morning trip into D.C. last Thursday to load a shotgun while standing on Freedom Plaza, was arrested Monday night at his home in Herndon, Va., according to a news release on his website.
Kokesh, 31, spent the night at Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on charges of possession of schedule I and II drugs while in possession of a firearm. He was arraigned on those charges at 8:30 a.m. today. Kokesh’s arrest came after a warrant served by the U.S. Park Police, which is investigating the video he posted July 4 as the culmination of his plans to mark Independence Day by bringing a loaded gun into the District of Columbia in clear violation of local gun laws.
As Kokesh’s website puts it, “numerous police vehicles, including a light armored vehicle and two low-flying helicopters” approached his home on the 1500 block of Snow Flake Court about 7:45 p.m. last night. The statement on Kokesh’s website describes officers as being decked out in “storm trooper” gear, including assault rifles trained on Kokesh and his associates.
“Immediately after breaking down the door, a flash bang grenade was deployed in the foyer,” Kokesh’s website reads. “Throughout the ordeal, the police repeatedly showed a volatile desire to initiate aggressive, forceful conduct with detainees. At one point, Adam politely requested to use the restroom and was kicked by the officer forcing him to sit handcuffed on the floor.”
Those details could not be confirmed with police. U.S. Park Police did not respond to an inquiry about the warrant, but Fairfax General District Court records show that Kokesh charged with two felonies and remains in custody. On the website for his Internet talk show, Kokesh’s team says it will continue broadcasting in his absence.
Possession of schedule I and II drugs is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500 in Virginia, while being found to have a gun while in possession of those substances can bring an additional two-year sentence.
Kokesh, former Marine with a history of outlandish protests, originally planned to mark July 4 by lead a group of like-minded demonstrators in carrying loaded guns across the Arlington Memorial Bridge and into the District. Upon hearing of that proposed event, the Metropolitan Police Department said it would prepare to arrest the armed marchers in the event they attempted to enter D.C.
Instead, Kokesh eventually scrapped that plan in favor of calling for smaller rallies in all 50 state capitals—apparently in preparation for a movement on D.C. in 2014 that he calls the “Final American Revolution”—but went alone to Freedom Plaza last Thursday morning.
UPDATE, 1:58 p.m.: Lt. Steve Elbert of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office says that Kokesh is refusing to have his fingerprints scanned or photo taken for booking purposes. He remains in custody and is being held without bond.