A federal judge ruled that Grady Owens, a Winter Park music student arrested in connection to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, won’t be released despite not having a criminal history or being a credible flight risk. U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Irick said the “crimes of violence” of which Owens is accused, including striking a police officer with a skateboard and violently entering Capitol grounds, justify denying his release on an unsecured bond, unlike many of the others who have been arrested previously. “Those who attacked law enforcement officers are a different level of dangerous,” Irick said in making his decision. Irick also cited Owens’ alcohol and marijuana use as aspects of his character that justify keeping him in custody. The 21-year-old, who was also charged with entering a restricted area and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, faces up to 36 years in prison, if convicted. (,,,) According to court records, Owens arrived Jan. 5 at Reagan National Airport in D.C. from Texas, with a plane ticket paid by his father, Jason Owens, who also went to the Capitol but has not been arrested in connection to the riot. Body camera footage from that day shows Grady Owens hit a police officer in the head with a skateboard, leaving the officer with a concussion, according to the criminal complaint. Authorities were later able to track down Owens using posts by online sleuths, an image search that led to his public Instagram page and license plate readers that led F.B.I. investigators to Full Sail University, where a faculty member confirmed his identity.
via orlandosentinentel: Winter Park man accused of hitting cop with skateboard during Capitol riot won’t be released, judge rules