KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One day after Gardner resident Ryan Ashlock was arrested for his role in the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, federal court documents were released which detail how he was connected a group of local conspirators.
Ashlock was arrested Monday on several federal charges, which are similar in nature to charges filed against three other men from the Kansas City area in connection with last month's insurrection.
Olathe residents William Chrestman and Christopher Kuehne and Blue Springs resident Louis Colon were charged earlier this month for their role in the Capitol riot.
Court documents released this week show that Ashlock spoke with federal investigators Feb. 11 at his workplace in Westwood, Kansas, the same day Chrestman, Kuehne and Colon were arrested.
During that interview, Ashlock identified himself in photos taken on Jan. 6.
He told FBI agents he traveled to Washington, D.C., with the other men from the Kansas City area, stayed at a short-term rental with them and made plans with them for the riot.
Ashlock denied that his actions were criminal.
He and other members of the group are seen multiple times on camera with people federal prosecutors have described as known members of the Proud Boys.
The group appears to wear bright orange tape to identify themselves, though the purpose of the identification remains under investigation, according to the court documents.
Video shows the group was at the front of the crowd, which overwhelmed Capitol officers at the pedestrian entrance to the grounds.
The group also was directly in front of law enforcement guarding the Capitol at other times.
Ashlock is seen on video pushing barricades toward police and was pepper sprayed by Capitol officers. He told FBI agents at that point, he was separated from the group and decided to leave.
While evidence shows the others in the group made it inside the Capitol, there is no information that Ashlock did.
Ashlock faces federal charges of conspiracy, obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, obstruction of justice/Congress, and knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority.
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