- On Friday, a federal judge denied a
Capitol riot suspect's request to go to acar show . Richard Barnett was photographed putting his feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk during the insurrection.- Barnett's attorney requested the restriction on how far he can travel be relaxed while he awaits trial.
A federal judge ruled Friday that the accused Capitol rioter who was photographed with his feet up on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk is not allowed to go to a car show, The Associated Press reported.
Richard "Bigo" Barnett, 61, a self-described white nationalist, was arrested shortly after pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol on January 6. Barnett is facing multiple charges, including one felony charge for bringing a dangerous weapon into a restricted building, and misdemeanor counts for violent entry and disorderly conduct as well as theft of government property.
Barnett was released from pre-trial detention in April, Buzzfeed News reported. While awaiting trial, Barnett is on home detention and is allowed to travel up to 50 miles from his residence in Gravette, Arkansas.
In a Monday court filing, Barnett's attorney requested the restrictions on how far he can travel to be loosened so he could attend a car show, AP reported. According to his attorney, Barnett lost his job after spending months in jail and needs to make income by traveling to car shows to buy and sell classic cars.
The filing included a request to attend and spend the night near a car swap meet in Petit Jean Mountain, 200 miles from his residence.
Federal prosecutors opposed the request and stated that he still poses a danger to the community, AP reported. The prosecutors referenced Barnett's interview on Russian state TV, during which Barnett said he would continue to fight for the First Amendment, Insider previously reported.
US District Judge Christopher R. Cooper rejected Barnett's request on Friday, according to AP.
"The Court is not persuaded that the defendant cannot pursue gainful employment within a 50-mile radius of his home as permitted by the current conditions," Cooper's order, which was obtained by AP, said.
Earlier this month, Barnett auctioned off signed photos of himself in Pelosi's office to fundraise for his legal fees.