Who is Jim Bob Elliott? Flagpole-wielding insurrectionist is a Proud Boys member
Nearly a year since the coup attempt by Donald Trump and the GOP, the Department of Justice and FBI are still rounding up those responsible for the insurrection on Capitol Hill. On December 21, the over 200 arrested and charged were joined by a new member - James Robert (AKA Jim Bob) Elliott. The Illinois man was arrested on December 20, before being released on the 21st by a judge.
On July 19, Paul Hodgkins became one of the first insurrectionists to be sentenced, facing 8 months in jail. Others have faced more damning consequences, but few seem to really understand the seriousness of them. Take for example Jenna Ryan, who went viral in early December for claiming she was looking forward to detox in jail. Plenty of others are still waiting for their date in court, with 17 people in limbo after their lawyer John Pierce went missing.
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Elliott, like many of his co-insurrectionists, is facing charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, civil disorder, and carrying out an act of violence in the Capitol building or grounds. But, he's also facing more serious ones for his use of a flagpole on the day to attack a police officer. He's facing five felonies and one misdemeanor charge, the most serious for an Illinois resident linked to the insurrection.
Who is Jim Bob Elliott?
The 24-year-old is a resident of Aurora, Illinois, and also a member of the Proud Boys group. Beyond his role in the insurrection, little is known about Elliott. He doesn't appear to have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Elliott's lawyer noted in court that he is "gainfully employed" and has no criminal history, but we could not find out where he works or what he does for a living. He's reportedly engaged and is the father of twin two-year-olds.
Elliott was slapped with a total of six charges - civil disorder; assault of a federal officer; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and carrying out an act of violence in the Capitol building or grounds. Five of them are felonies, and the most serious carries a 20-year term if convicted.
Images from the insurrection show Elliott in tactical gear carrying a flagpole, which he used to hit or try and hit a police officer on two occasions. In one video, he can also be seen asking other insurrectionists, "Patriots, what is your occupation?" in reference to the film '300'. Shortly after his arrest, The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the Proud Boys' northern Illinois chapter began to rally behind Elliott. One member posted a link to a fundraiser, seeking to raise $25,000 for him.
Elliott was reportedly identified by an online network of sleuths seeking to uncover the identities of the insurrectionists. He was referred to as #AllBlackBabyThor or Space Cowboy in the months since his photos first began to circulate. Appearing before a judge on December 21, Elliott was released with electronic monitoring and ordered to stay under a strict curfew. It's unclear when he is due next in court.