Mark and Jalise Middleton (Photos from court documents)
A Texas couple who bragged online they “were the first group to storm the capitol” and “fought cops” during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol were convicted this week for their roles in the insurrection.
Mark Middleton, 55, and Jalise Middleton, 54, were found guilty of multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses, including assaulting law enforcement officers, civil disorder, and obstruction of an official proceeding, authorities said in a news release.
As Law&Crime reported, In his red, white, and blue “Trump” beanie hat, red and white scarf, jacket, bluejeans, red and white Nike shoes, and gray backpack with a red logo on the back, Mark Middleton pushed against barricades and the police line with his body, authorities said.
When officers ordered him and others to “Get back!” he yelled, “f — you!” while pushing against the barricades. He also grabbed an officer’s hand and pulled the cop toward the crowd as Jalise Middleton in her red, white, and blue “Trump 2020” beanie — repeatedly grabbed and struck the officer over the barricade with her hand. She struck another officer who came up to assist his colleague, authorities said.
While committing the crimes, he posted to Facebook — “We are on the front lines,” authorities said. “We helped push down the barriers. Jalise and I got pepper sprayed, clubbed, and tear gassed. We had to retreat, but more patriots pushed forward, and they’re taking back our house. They’ve got the giant flag up on the upper terrace up there. No more fooling around! Jalise and I gotta go back to the hotel and try to recoup and change, get dry clothes on. Make America great again! Freedom!”
Jalise Middleton allegedly admitted in Facebook comments that she and her husband “fought cops,” were “on the front lines,” and ultimately got “bruised and pepper sprayed.”
The couple continued to grapple with and strike at officers and tried to pull one into the crowd as flags were jabbed toward the officers’ faces, officials said.
The couple retreated when officers sprayed mace at the crowd. They later posted social media messages touting their “key role in helping to breach the barricades by fighting officers,” officials said.
Jalise Middleton said on Facebook she and her husband “fought cops,” were “on the front lines,” and ultimately got “bruised and pepper sprayed.”
“Patriots busted through barrierers [sic] to get in Capital [sic]. Best I know there was no ‘looting or rioting,”” Jalise Middleton said on the evening of Jan. 6, officials said. “We just sent a warning that we are serious.”
“Patriots don’t stoop low like Antifa,” she went on. The fixation on Antifa continued on Jan. 7: “Patriots surged, just to show strength, Antifa went in to make ya look bad.”
They were arrested on April 21, 2021, in Forestburg, Texas, after the FBI began receiving tips from people who’d seen their Facebook posts, one of whom was described in court documents as the parent of a girl who was an acquaintance of Jalise Middleton.
In June, a judge denied their request to have their case tossed unless or until Trump in the insurrection, Washington CBS affiliate WUSA reported.
They are set to be sentenced on June 12.
