Topline
More details have emerged about Taylor Taranto, 37, following his arrest last week near former President Barack Obama’s home—as prosecutors alleged in a Wednesday filing that a day prior to his arrest, Taranto made live-streamed statements indicating his intentions to blow up his vehicle at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Taylor Taranto, 37, was charged with being a fugitive from justice and was arrested under an … [+]
Key Facts
Taranto, who is a January 6 defendant, made several statements during a YouTube livestream on June 28 indicating that he was going to blow up his van at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, according to federal prosecutors—one day before he was apprehended while reportedly running toward Obama’s Washington, D.C., home.
Prosecutors noted in their filing that NIST has a nuclear reactor on its property—one that was recently authorized to be restarted after more than two years of inactivity.
The live stream was filmed inside Taranto’s 2000 black Chevrolet Express G1500, where he also made statements saying he had a detonator and that he was on a “one way mission,” according to the filing.
The alleged statements tipped off the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which was monitoring Taranto’s online presence due to his participation in the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Key Background
The Secret Service apprehended Taranto near Obama’s home a day after the livestream. A search of his vehicle, which he was arrested near, revealed hundreds of rounds of nine millimeter ammunition and two firearms inside, according to the Wednesday filing. The search was completed after the FBI’s bomb squad and police K9 officers were deployed to the van. Taranto was charged with being a fugitive from justice and was arrested under an outstanding warrant. The Seattle man participated in the January 6 Capitol attack and was initially identified by an online group called the “Sedition Hunters.” The identification was confirmed by investigators at a later time, who found evidence of Taranto admitting to his participation in the attack. Taranto is also facing a lawsuit from a widow of a police department officer who Taranto allegedly had a hand in attacking. The lawsuit accuses Taranto of assault and battery, wrongful death and aiding and abetting.
What To Watch For
Prosecutors argued Taranto’s recent actions have justified continued detainment as he faces multiple charges. Taranto has not yet entered a plea.
Further Reading
Man Allegedly Possessing Explosive Materials Arrested Near Obama’s D.C. Home (Forbes)
Jan. 6 participant, identified nearly two years ago, is arrested near Obama home (NBC)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/07/05/man-arrested-near-obamas-home-last-week-planned-to-blow-up-his-vehicle-at-federal-office-prosecutors-say/