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Woodland Park man accused in failed Capitol siege appears in court

Robert Gieswein, who is accused of breaking into the Capitol and assaulting a federal officer is slated to appear in court again on Friday.

DENVER — A Woodland Park man who is facing federal charges in connection with the failed Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that left five people dead appeared virtually in federal court for his first hearing. 

Robert Gieswein, 24, faced Magistrate Judge Scott Varholak Tuesday afternoon. He has qualified for a public defender and is slated to appear again on Friday at 10 a.m. 

Gieswein will remain in custody at least until his next hearing 

An affidavit says images and videos show Gieswein assaulting a federal officer, encouraging others to break the Capitol's windows and then entering through a broken window and charging through the building.

> Video above: A look at the charges faced by 24-year-old Robert Gieswein.

According to the affidavit, Gieswein assaulted and intimidated U.S. Capitol Police officers with a spray canister, a temporary barrier and a baseball bat, joined and encouraged a crowd of people who forcibly entered the Capitol, impeded, disrupted and disturbed the orderly conduct of business by the U.S. House and Senate, and obstructed, impeded and interfered with a law enforcement officer carrying out their duties at the Capitol.

Credit: Teller County Sheriff's Office
Robert Gieswein, 24

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Gieswein turned himself in to the Teller County Jail on Jan. 18 and will be handed over to federal authorities, the Teller County Sheriff's Office said. He faces the following charges:

  • Assault on a federal officer
  • Destruction of government property 
  • Obstruction of an official proceeding
  • Restricted building or grounds 
  • Violent entry or disorderly conduct 
  • Aiding and abetting

According to the affidavit, Gieswein appears to be affiliated with the radical militia group known as the Three Percenters, which advocates for the resistance to the federal government policies it considers to infringe on personal, local and gun ownership rights.

RELATED: Woodland Park man turns himself in, faces charges in connection with insurrection at US Capitol

> This story draws on previous reporting from 9NEWS' Jeremy Jojola, Nate Lynn and Dacia Johnson.

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