A high-profile January 6 rioter, Guy Reffitt, was recently released from federal detention following a pardon by former President Donald Trump. Reffitt, who had been indicted on a charge of possessing an illegal gun silencer three years ago, was ordered to remain in jail until his trial in Texas, where he pleaded not guilty.
Despite the pending indictment and ongoing prosecution in the gun case, Reffitt's lawyer filed for his release after Trump's pardon. The judge had not yet made a decision on whether to release him, but Reffitt was ultimately freed.
The Justice Department in the Eastern District of Texas stated that Reffitt should still be in detention due to the alleged firearms violation. The situation underscores how the Capitol riot investigation has led to additional criminal proceedings for some defendants, complicating matters for cases like Reffitt's gun charge.
As of Friday, Reffitt's whereabouts were unknown, and his wife, Nicole Reffitt, did not respond to inquiries. The release of Reffitt post-pardon raises questions about the impact of Trump's clemency on ongoing legal proceedings related to the January 6 events.
