Tallahassee man indicted on charge of inciting violence against Florida Capitol protesters

gavel-on-text
Authorities said the man had a “history of expressing his belief in violent tactics.”

A federal grand jury indicted a Tallahassee man on Thursday for plotting to incite violence against demonstrators at the Florida Capitol Building in wake of the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Daniel Baker, an Army veteran, planned to arm himself and attack protesters at the Capitol Complex ahead of President Joe Biden‘s inauguration. He encouraged others on social media to join him.

According to a news release, Baker faces two counts of transmitting a communication in interstate commerce containing a threat to kidnap or injure.

“At a time of widespread alarm and turmoil in our nation, and at state capitals in particular, Baker’s actions clearly posed a threat to public order,” said Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Though some media descriptions cast Baker in a sympathetic light, the indictment alleges that he sought to physically stop the expression of political views different than his own, potentially through armed violence. This office and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting public safety no matter where the threat comes from, and we are confident Baker’s actions will be properly dealt with through the judicial process.”

FBI agents arrested Baker on Jan. 15 after an investigation involving the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Tallahassee Police Department.

According to court documents, the FBI had been aware of Baker’s social media threats since October.

Baker’s YouTube channel contained dozens of videos — some teaching hand-to-hand combat, others displaying proficiency with weapons and many lamenting President Donald Trump and “terrorist Trump supporters.”

Authorities said he had a “history of expressing his belief in violent tactics” and taught others how to “incapacitate and debilitate law enforcement officers” via his social media accounts.

He also encouraged the killings of U.S. military officers, according to a criminal complaint.

“The FBI is laser-focused on identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals who are intent on inciting violence or engaging in criminal activity,” said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “We will not tolerate those who seek to wreak havoc in our communities.”

Baker served only one year as a former U.S. Army Airborne infantryman before receiving an other-than-honorable discharge.

His channel also contained combat footage from his time alongside the People’s Protection Units — a nonstate group fighting in Syria against ISIS and the Turkish government.

Notably, authorities said Baker participated in numerous protests over the summer of 2020.

According to the criminal complaint, Baker was part of the CHOP/CHAZ movement in Seattle.

CHAZ refers to the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” and CHOP refers to the “Capitol Hill Organized Protest.” CHOP & CHAZ were self-declared autonomous zones made during the 2020 summer protests.

Baker’s next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

Jason Delgado

Jason Delgado covers news out of the Florida State Capitol. After a go with the U.S. Army, the Orlando-native attended the University of Central Florida and earned a degree in American Policy and National Security. His past bylines include WMFE-NPR and POLITICO Florida. He'd love to hear from you. You can reach Jason by email ([email protected]) or on Twitter at @byJasonDelgado.


5 comments

  • Sonja Fitch

    February 19, 2021 at 5:28 am

    Another sucker of the goptrump death cult! Yo cult leader hims down in Palm Beach golfing and eating McDonalds happy meals! Sorry you deserve your time in jail! Hope you figure how the Fing trump used you! Vote Democrat up and down ballot for the elections in 2022!

  • TylerWoodby

    February 19, 2021 at 7:47 am

    You, my dear, did not read this article at all. Here are some quotes for you.

    Baker’s YouTube channel contained dozens of videos — some teaching hand-to-hand combat, others displaying proficiency with weapons and many lamenting President Donald Trump and “terrorist Trump supporters.”

    His channel also contained combat footage from his time alongside the People’s Protection Units — a nonstate group fighting in Syria against ISIS and the Turkish government.

    That group is an anarchist group since you are clearly lacking in intelligence.

    and lastly

    According to the criminal complaint, Baker was part of the CHOP/CHAZ movement in Seattle.

    So he was clearly an Anarchist, and lets face it those types are scum regardless where you sit.

  • Charlotte Greenbarg

    February 19, 2021 at 8:08 am

    Fitch is a bot. 🤪😜🤡

  • James M. Mejuto

    February 19, 2021 at 11:27 am

    AMAZING ! You have to wonder how many hundreds of thousands of armed forces veterans and current soldiers agree to overthrow our gov’t.

    I think it’s time the Pentagon does what it’s supposed to do: . .
    rid, eject and imprison those who support the Jan.6th insurrectionists.

  • Sonja Fitch

    February 19, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    Hush hush sweet Charlotte! You so pathetic at bullying . Take up
    Knitting. Wait that takes agility and brains. Vote Democrat up and down ballot for the elections in 2022!

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories