Ameriprise Advisor Arrested for U.S. Capitol Attack

The Justice Department has announced the arrest of an Ameriprise advisor, Lee Giobbie, for his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Giobbie, a 40-year-old resident of Easthampton, N.J., is facing felony charges of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding, along with several misdemeanor charges, according to the DOJ.

The FBI received a credible tip in March 2022 from an online sleuth they had previously collaborated with. This individual had matched images and video footage of Giobbie on January 6 with his professional headshot and a photo from his Facebook account. The Facebook image displayed Giobbie wearing a vintage Philadelphia Eagles hat, which matched the hat he was wearing on January 6. The FBI later received additional videos from that day, and an agent who reviewed them confirmed Giobbie's presence in each.

Upon learning of the federal indictment, Ameriprise took immediate action and suspended Giobbie pending an internal investigation. The financial firm stated, "We are currently looking into the matter."

It's worth noting that over 1,200 individuals have been charged in connection with the January 6 attack on the Capitol, where rioters breached the building in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Amateur online detectives have played a crucial role in assisting law enforcement by scrutinizing images and videos from the attack, aiding in the identification of multiple rioters.

A Distinctive Perspective on the Capitol Riot: The Case of Giobbie

Introduction

Giobbie's Identified Presence

According to the FBI, there is photographic evidence showing Giobbie wearing an Eagles hat and holding a bullhorn. Allegedly, he used this bullhorn to amplify Trump's pre-riot speech through his phone. Moreover, an image from Giobbie's Facebook profile places him in a pumpkin patch while wearing what appears to be the same hat.

Shouting for Action

During the Capitol riot, Giobbie played an active role. Video footage reviewed by the FBI shows him approaching a line of bike-rack barricades near the East Front of the building. Witnesses describe him passionately shouting, "Move the gates!" shortly before the barricade was breached. Once the police were overrun, Giobbie can be heard exclaiming phrases like "We're going in" and "The gates have been breached."

Leading Chants and Ascent

As the rioters pushed further towards the restricted area of the Capitol grounds, Giobbie emerged as a prominent figure. He was one of the first individuals to reach the central steps of the building, where witnesses claim he used his bullhorn to shout, "Stop the steal." He also led chants of "USA!" in a fervent display of support.

Urging Entry

With the building's Rotunda doors as the next objective, Giobbie continued to incite action. Witnesses state that he shouted into his bullhorn, seeking something to break down the doors. Meanwhile, police officers found themselves in a defensive position, attempting to hold back the rioters.

Confrontation and Entry

In a brief confrontation with a police officer, Giobbie displayed a confrontational attitude before allegedly forcefully pushing his way through the Rotunda doors. This action allowed him to be among the first rioters to breach the building at that particular entry point, as documented in the FBI's statement of facts.

Brief Detention and Escape

The FBI reveals that Giobbie was detained briefly by a police officer inside the Capitol building. However, he managed to navigate his way to the northwest side of the building and eventually exited through the Senate wing.

The case of Giobbie highlights the role and actions of an individual during the Capitol riot. As investigations continue, the intricate details surrounding this event are gradually coming to light.