Two Santa Ynez Residents Arrested in Connection to January 6th Attack on Capitol – edhat

A Santa Ynez couple has been arrested for their participation in the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Karen and Robert Jones are being charged with four federal offenses including entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

Karen Jones is ​a two-time candidate for county supervisor who currently serves as president of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Services District, is the founding president at the Santa Ynez Valley Opportunity Shop, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority (SYVAA).

She was was taken into custody on December 14 in Austin, Texas while her husband, Robert Jones, was arrested the same day in Los Angeles .

The Independent’s Tyler Hayden was the first to publish information on this story in 2022 along with photos of Karen and Robert Jones inside the U.S. Capitol as part of the pro-Trump insurrection to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s legitimate presidential election win.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Jones’ using cell phone information, closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance from inside the Capitol building, and opensource video footage, per the criminal complaint.

The couple flew from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. on January 5, 2021 and returned on January 8, 2021, according to the FBI.

The criminal complaint provided images showing Karen Jones on the east steps of the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection while participating in an “open mic” session.

“Hi, I’m Karen Jones. I’m from Calabasas, California – Home of the Reagan Ranch – and I’m very proud to be here. I was in the first wave up the stairs. I lucked out. Thank you to all the people who carried me in the crowd. Took a little pepper spray. I didn’t think I’d ever be sprayed by cops in my own country. I support the police, but I’d like everyone to please join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance,” said Jones.

According to the FBI complaint, both Karen and Robert Jones approached the U.S. Capitol from the east side and advanced with a larger crowd that breached the barriers into the building. They walked through the doors at 3:01 p.m. and entered the Rotunda Lobby.

Capitol Police entered and directed protesters to leave the restricted area, the Jones’ exited the Rotunda and remained in the Rotunda Lobby. At 3:28 p.m., they exited the building through the Upper East Side doorway, according to the complaint.

Karen and Robert Jones are being represented by local attorney Robert Sanger and are scheduled to virtually appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on January 2, 2024.