Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Two Valley Men Still in Court One Year After Capitol Riot
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 years ago on
January 5, 2022

Share

The case against two Central Valley men accused of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol continues in federal court.

Benjamin Martin was arrested last September by federal authorities and faces six charges for his role in the attacks. The charges range from trespassing to obstructing law enforcement.

Martin, 43 of Madera, was arraigned in the Fresno federal courthouse. His case was transferred to a Washington, D.C., court, where he has had two hearings. The docket indicates that Martin appeared in the Washington court through teleconferencing.

Ricky Willden, 39, of Oakhurst faces eight counts, including three counts of assault or engaging in violent acts.

A self-proclaimed member of the far-right Proud Boys, Willden was arrested by federal agents on June 30 of last year.

Martin Accused of Entering Capitol

In charging documents, the federal government accused Martin of holding open a door to the U.S. Capitol during the protest that escalated to a riot. Demonstrators opposed the congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

Martin is also accused of taunting law enforcement and illegally being in the Capitol building at the time.

In interviews last year with GV Wire, Martin says he was caught up in the mob and just trying to act as a peacemaker. The U.S. Department of Justice used GV Wire’s information in its charging document.

A one-time real estate agent, Martin has actively voiced his political opinions for the last several years. He hosts shows on his social media accounts.

In 2020, Martin led rallies at Fresno retailers, protesting against masking policies. Martin was detained at one point, but not formally arrested. He has also had documented public shouting matches with Fresno City Councilman Miguel Arias.

Martin is on probation for a 2018 domestic violence case. And, he has an active restraining order from his estranged sister.

His real estate license was restricted by the state Department of Real Estate in 2020.

Martin declined to comment for this story.

Next Court Date in February

Martin’s last court date, Dec. 15, 2021, was for a status conference. The next court date is Feb. 18 in front of Judge Rudolph Contreras for another status update.

Martin remains free on his own recognizance, subject to home detention and GPS monitoring. His travel is also restricted. Martin must notify the court if he is leaving the Central Valley, and is ordered to say away from Washington, except for court appearances. He is also not allowed to possess a firearm or unlawfully possess drugs.

He must also comply with state criminal protective orders based on his domestic violence and restraining order cases.

Federal agents said they found guns during a raid on Martin’s residence at the time of his arrest. Martin is not allowed to possess guns as part of his prior criminal protective order. However, federal authorities have not added gun charges to Martin’s indictment.

Willden’s Case

After his arrest, Willden was released on his own recognizance with conditions. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts. A description of Willden’s alleged activities in Washington is not part of the court docket.

Conditions of Willden’s release forbid him from being in Washington, D.C., except for court proceedings and from associating with the Proud Boys. He also has a 10 p.m. curfew.

His case returns to a Washington courtroom on Feb. 17. It is not clear if he is appearing in person or teleconferencing.

71 Convictions in Riot Cases

So far, 71 people have been sentenced for riot-related crimes. They include a company CEO, an architect, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, a gym owner, a former Houston police officer, and a University of Kentucky student. Many rioters have said they lost jobs and friends after their mob of Donald Trump loyalists disrupted the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory.

Fifty-six of the 71 pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. Most of them were sentenced to home confinement or jail terms measured in weeks or months, according to an Associated Press tally of every sentencing.

But rioters who assaulted police officers have gotten years behind bars.

(Associated Press contributed to this article.)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

DON'T MISS

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

DON'T MISS

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

DON'T MISS

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

DON'T MISS

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

DON'T MISS

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

DON'T MISS

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

DON'T MISS

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

DON'T MISS

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

DON'T MISS

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

UP NEXT

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

UP NEXT

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

UP NEXT

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

UP NEXT

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

UP NEXT

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

UP NEXT

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

UP NEXT

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

UP NEXT

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

UP NEXT

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

UP NEXT

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

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

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

2 hours ago

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

3 hours ago

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

15 hours ago

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

16 hours ago

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

16 hours ago

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

16 hours ago

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

16 hours ago

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

16 hours ago

What Kind of Trouble Is Miguel Arias Trying to Stir Up This Time?

16 hours ago

MrBeast Probe Ends With Some Employees Fired but Finds No Proof of Sexual Misconduct Allegations

17 hours ago

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

Peanut butter is a childhood staple for many in the United States. Whether it’s a classic PB&J sandwich, a fluffernutter, cookies ...

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

1 hour ago

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

1 hour ago

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

2 hours ago

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

3 hours ago

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

15 hours ago

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

16 hours ago

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

16 hours ago

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

Search

Send this to a friend