Manhunt Ends: Suspect in Jan. 6 Capitol Attack Surrenders

Former Member of New Jersey Army National Guard Surrenders in Connection to U.S. Capitol Attack

Intense Manhunt Concludes as Gregory Yetman Surrenders

After an intensive search, Gregory Yetman, a former member of the New Jersey Army National Guard, turned himself in to authorities on Friday. The surrender marked the end of a manhunt that had lasted for at least two days after Yetman evaded arrest. Yetman surrendered to the police department in Monroe Township, N.J., according to a spokeswoman for the F.B.I.

Federal Prosecution and First Court Appearance

Yetman is now facing charges brought by federal prosecutors in Washington. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday. While the specific charges have not been made public, the F.B.I. had circulated a wanted poster the day before Yetman’s surrender, accusing him of engaging in acts of violence during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol building. The F.B.I. had offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Yetman’s arrest.

Search and Escape in New Jersey

During the manhunt, armed officers, including a SWAT team, diligently searched the area surrounding Helmetta, N.J., a small suburban community in Middlesex County. The search began after law enforcement officers attempted to serve Yetman with an arrest warrant, causing him to flee into the nearby woods. According to Helmetta’s mayor, Christopher Slavicek, the search had been ongoing since earlier in the week.

Military Background and Extremism

Having served in the New Jersey Army National Guard for 14 years until March 2022, Yetman’s military background has come into focus. It is worth noting that dozens of veterans have been arrested for their involvement in the Jan. 6 riot. As a result, the Pentagon has intensified its efforts to combat extremism within the military. In fact, an analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland revealed that as of March 2022, 133 individuals with military backgrounds had been accused of committing crimes at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. This accounted for approximately 17 percent of all defendants at the time, more than twice the rate of military service in the American adult population.

Ongoing Investigation and New Charges

Since the Jan. 6 riot, over 1,200 individuals have been charged for their involvement, and the investigation is still ongoing. In fact, just recently, federal prosecutors in Washington announced charges against two new defendants, accusing them of assaulting law enforcement officers during the breach of the Capitol.

Read More of this Story at www.nytimes.com – 2023-11-10 19:23:45