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The FBI is investigating the founder of a San Diego-based security company for his alleged participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, according to a cellphone search warrant affidavit filed in federal court Thursday.
Jonathan Humphreys, 27, has been under investigation for several months, since Google geolocation data placed at least one of his devices inside the Capitol the afternoon of the violent insurgence, the affidavit states. Investigators later identified a man they believe to be Humphreys on Capitol surveillance cameras, as well as body-worn camera footage from Washington, D.C., police and in images sent in by tipsters, according to the affidavit.
The FBI searched Humphreys’ University City condominium and pickup truck for evidence in November, court records show. The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed.
In an interview with task force officers in November, Humphreys acknowledged he had been in the Capitol during the riot and confirmed he was depicted in an image shown to him by the FBI, the affidavit states.
Humphreys, who is the founder and director of Humphreys National Security Company, declined to comment when reached Thursday by phone.
The investigation adds to a growing list of local ties to the insurrection, which aimed to prevent the certification of the results of the presidential election.
Ashli Babbitt, who lived in Ocean Beach and owned a pool supply company, was fatally shot by a Capitol police officer while attempting to breach an inner window during the takeover attempt.
Two current or former San Diegans have been criminally charged. On Tuesday, a federal judge in Washington sentenced Jeffrey “Alex” Smith, a Colorado resident who recently moved from Coronado, to three months in prison and two years of probation on a misdemeanor charge of illegally parading in the Capitol. The sentence confirmed an earlier tentative ruling in the case. And earlier this month, Philip Weisbecker, a county resident, pleaded guilty to the same charge.
According to investigators, Humphreys — dressed in a black business-style overcoat, blue-striped tie, black slacks and dress shoes — entered the Capitol through a broken window next to the Senate Wing doors.
Camera footage and geolocation data show that he roamed the building, taking photos with his phone and a body-worn camera attached to his lapel, according to the affidavit, which includes numerous surveillance images. Investigators say Humphreys appeared to lead a large group of people to the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Some followers subsequently broke down the doors to the California Democrat’s suite of offices, the affidavit says.
Later, Humphreys allegedly wandered into the Rotunda, where he lit a cigarette and then confronted a line of police officers attempting to push the mob out of the area, the affidavit states. The footage appears to show Humphreys turn his back on the riot line of officers and push against them with his back.
“At least two separate officers pushed back on Humphreys with their hands and batons,” the affidavit reads. “Over the course of a minute, Humphreys pushed against the officers twice, both times with his back.”
While he appears to plant his feet for the first push, investigators say, a hand is visible on Humphreys’ arm during the second push “leading to the possibility that another person was pushing Humphreys into the officers” in that instance.
When interviewed by the FBI, Humphreys told the investigators he went to the Capitol as part of a security contract for his company, and that other security guards were part of the contract, but “he declined to name the other guards or who or what he was hired to guard,” the affidavit says.
In his online company profile, Humphreys describes himself as a former Marine who was discharged after a training injury. The company specializes in deploying security guards as well as installing security systems. Its website highlights its “America First Policy,” which includes favoring veterans for hire and using American-made products.
“Above all else, HNSC is a company comprised of patriotic countrymen and women who are dedicated to the protection of The Constitution of the United States and the American People,” the policy states, in part.
Source: This post first appeared on sandiegouniontribune.com
