Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Anti-Mask Activist Will Remain in Fresno Jail After FBI Arrest on Riot Charges
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 years ago on
September 3, 2021

Share

Benjamin Martin, the Central Valley man arrested Thursday by federal authorities for his alleged participation in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, denied the six charges against him during a short court hearing on Friday. A judge ordered that he remain in custody in the Fresno County Jail until a follow up hearing on Wednesday.

The approximately 15-minute hearing was held at the federal courthouse in downtown Fresno.

Martin’s attorney, Roger Nuttall, asked for his release because of pending real estate closings Martin — a real estate agent — is involved with.

The request did not move U.S. Magistrate Erica Grosjean, who noted Martin’s 2019 domestic battery conviction, as well as an active criminal protective order and restraining orders against him.

Martin, who had worked in his family’s real estate business, is known for protesting mask-wearing at local businesses, as well as multiple run-ins with Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias.

US Attorney Joe Barton noted that Martin’s current residence was illegally pulling power “off the grid” and he would unlikely be allowed to return to it. Authorities list Martin’s home in Madera, although GV Wire has reported him living in Clovis in the past.

The case will eventually be transferred to a Washington, DC federal court.

FBI agents arrested Martin on Thursday afternoon.

“We don’t believe Mr. Martin did anything wrong, criminally or civilly,” Nuttall told GV Wire after the hearing. He plans to argue a First Amendment defense.

GV Wire Story Cited in Charging Document

The 13-page charging document says federal authorities became aware of Martin on Jan. 7 from a “tipster” who used to be a high-school acquaintance. The tipster saw a clip of Martin apparently entering the Capitol in a local news clip.

Federal agents searched for Martin online on Jan. 11 and found GV Wire’s story about his involvement in a Jan. 8 story.

Initially, Martin told GV Wire he attended the Jan. 6 President Donald Trump rally and was later an unwitting participant in entering the Capitol.

“There were people trying to break into the building and I was trying to calm everyone down and to get it to be a little bit peaceful and say, ‘Hey, guys, you know, we can be here and we don’t need to act out,’ ” Martin said in January. “There were some inciters who were throwing like — Trumpers don’t throw rocks at buildings. Trumpers don’t try to break windows or break doors.”

Martin claims he was trying to de-escalate the situation and only entered the Capitol when pushed in. He said he later walked out to avoid being pepper-sprayed.

The charging document had a different narrative.

First Interview in January

FBI agents from Sacramento interviewed Martin on Jan. 15. He told them a similar story as he told GV Wire.

“Martin said he was attempting to calm everyone down. Martin said he felt it was foolish for him to think he could resist so many people pushing him forward and decided to leave that location and watched the ‘protest’ continue from the Capitol grounds,” the charging document said.

The investigation showed that Martin communicated with a person only identified as “R.T.” who was “known to the FBI to have advocated for violence in the lead-up to January 6.”

According to one video the FBI found on Facebook, “Martin appears to be holding open a door to the U.S. Capitol. A law enforcement officer can be seen hitting Martin’s hand with what appears to be a baton to get him to release the door. After his hand is struck, Martin and the officer struggle over the door. Martin appears to be trying to keep the door open while the officer attempts to close it.”

Another video on YouTube allegedly showed Martin taunting law enforcement, saying to the effect of ” You guys are not doing your job. You swore an oath. You’re bound by your word. Move out of the way and let us in. Move out of the way and let us in.”

The charging document said closed-circuit video showed Martin walking into the Capitol. About two minutes later, law enforcement officers pushed Martin and others out.

More video allegedly shot after the first Martin breach showed him again in the Capitol doorway. He is hit in the head with a chair from behind, but was seemingly undeterred. Law enforcement eventually sprayed a chemical irritant into the crowd.

Confrontations with Councilmember; Sister Gets Restraining Order

Martin has had a series of heated run-ins, whether protesting mask mandates at local businesses or confronting elected leaders over their positions.

There are at least two documented incidents of Martin verbally confronting Fresno Councilman Miguel Arias — once at Arias’ home and another time when the two coincidentally were in the same Paso Robles restaurant.

Martin’s sister also filed a restraining order that Martin attempted to fight. A judge eventually granted a two-year order last May.

Martin Faces Six Charges

The federal government charged Martin with:

— Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds (18 USC § 1752(a)(1)). Penalty: a fine or imprisonment up to 10 years.

— Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricting building or grounds (18 USC § 1752(a)(2)). Penalty: a fine or imprisonment up to 10 years.

— Disorderly conduct in in a Capitol building (40USC § 5104(e)(2)(D)). Penalty: a fine or imprisonment up to six months.

— Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building (40USC § 5104(e)(2)(G)). Penalty: a fine or imprisonment up to six months.

— Obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder (18 USC § 231(a)(3)). Penalty: fine or imprisonment up to 5 years.

— Obstructing or impeding an official proceeding (18 USC § 1512(c)(2)). Penalty: fine or imprisonment up to 20 years.

The charging document was signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey, assigned to the U.S. District Court District of Columbia.

This story has been updated to include reporting about Martin’s court hearing on Friday.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Take a Bow, Bulldog Football Fans. Some Power 4 Schools Would Love to Have You.

DON'T MISS

Community Hospital CEO Craig Castro Will Retire in Early 2025

DON'T MISS

Conor McGregor Must Pay Woman $250K in Sexual Assault Case, Civil Jury Rules

DON'T MISS

Judge Delays Trump Hush Money Sentencing in Order to Decide Where Case Should Go Now

DON'T MISS

Trump Gave Interior Nominee One Directive for a Half-Billion Acres of US Land: ‘Drill’

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Gets $500K Grant for Students Facing Homelessness

DON'T MISS

NATO and Ukraine to Hold Emergency Talks After Russia’s Attack With New Hypersonic Missile

DON'T MISS

Many in Gaza Are Eating Just Once a Day, as Hunger Spreads Amid Aid Issues

DON'T MISS

Norwegian Student Arrested on Charges of Spying on US for Russia

DON'T MISS

Eagles Seek to Extend Win Streak in Prime-Time Clash With Resurgent Rams

UP NEXT

Community Hospital CEO Craig Castro Will Retire in Early 2025

UP NEXT

Woman Found Dead in Fresno. Homicide Investigation Underway.

UP NEXT

Fresno DUI Suspect Arrested After Wrong-Way Crash Leaves Two Injured

UP NEXT

California’s Water Crisis Deepens as San Joaquin Valley Sinks

UP NEXT

Fresno Council Lowers Speed Limits on Friant and Audubon

UP NEXT

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

UP NEXT

These Fresno Schools Are Unsafe and in Bad Condition. And No One Is Complaining

UP NEXT

Bulldogs Stack Double-Doubles Like Burgers on a Plate to Beat Prairie View

UP NEXT

Fresno County Men Arrested in Armed Robbery Near Sanger High, Sanger Academy

UP NEXT

Suspect Arrested After Oakhurst Crime Spree Leaves K9 Injured

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Judge Delays Trump Hush Money Sentencing in Order to Decide Where Case Should Go Now

2 hours ago

Trump Gave Interior Nominee One Directive for a Half-Billion Acres of US Land: ‘Drill’

2 hours ago

Fresno State Gets $500K Grant for Students Facing Homelessness

2 hours ago

NATO and Ukraine to Hold Emergency Talks After Russia’s Attack With New Hypersonic Missile

2 hours ago

Many in Gaza Are Eating Just Once a Day, as Hunger Spreads Amid Aid Issues

2 hours ago

Norwegian Student Arrested on Charges of Spying on US for Russia

3 hours ago

Eagles Seek to Extend Win Streak in Prime-Time Clash With Resurgent Rams

3 hours ago

Nick Chubb Plows Through Heavy Snow as Browns Beat Steelers

3 hours ago

German Auto Supplier Bosch to Cut 5,500 Jobs in Further Sign of Carmakers’ Woes

3 hours ago

Woman Found Dead in Fresno. Homicide Investigation Underway.

3 hours ago

Take a Bow, Bulldog Football Fans. Some Power 4 Schools Would Love to Have You.

Steven Sanchez Sports Even though Fresno State’s football season hasn’t lived up to expectations, Bulldog fans are doing their ...

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

Take a Bow, Bulldog Football Fans. Some Power 4 Schools Would Love to Have You.

2 hours ago

Community Hospital CEO Craig Castro Will Retire in Early 2025

2 hours ago

Conor McGregor Must Pay Woman $250K in Sexual Assault Case, Civil Jury Rules

2 hours ago

Judge Delays Trump Hush Money Sentencing in Order to Decide Where Case Should Go Now

2 hours ago

Trump Gave Interior Nominee One Directive for a Half-Billion Acres of US Land: ‘Drill’

2 hours ago

Fresno State Gets $500K Grant for Students Facing Homelessness

2 hours ago

NATO and Ukraine to Hold Emergency Talks After Russia’s Attack With New Hypersonic Missile

2 hours ago

Many in Gaza Are Eating Just Once a Day, as Hunger Spreads Amid Aid Issues

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend