A Nevada man awaiting trial on charges related to the storming of the U.S. Capitol has been detained after allegedly making threats directed at Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and other public officials. The man, identified as Bradley Scott Nelson, faced a federal magistrate judge in Maryland who ruled that his 'escalating rhetoric' warranted his detention until a hearing next week.
In July, U.S. District Judge John Bates revoked Nelson's pretrial release and issued a warrant for his arrest. Bates is set to preside over a hearing next Wednesday to determine whether Nelson should remain detained until his trial for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
The magistrate judge's order detailed the threats attributed to Nelson this year, including social media posts and other statements. Nelson allegedly posted an image of Attorney General Merrick Garland with crosshairs on his head and made threatening remarks about Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting cases involving former President Donald Trump.
In June, Nelson reportedly threatened Justice Barrett shortly after a Supreme Court ruling, expressing a desire for harm to come to her. He also posted an image of New York Attorney General Letitia James with similar threats. Nelson's behavior extended to expressing hatred for FBI agents involved in his case, prompting safety concerns that required intervention by law enforcement.
Nelson, a long-haul truck driver, is facing a jury trial scheduled to commence on December 10. He was arrested in March 2023 on misdemeanor charges, including disorderly conduct, after being identified in surveillance videos from the Capitol riot. The case underscores the ongoing legal repercussions faced by individuals involved in the events of January 6.
