However, the go In a reversal, Biden said he would sign a resolution blocking a D.C. effort to reduce penalties for violent crimes. More:Griffin gets guns back, but only at home, Although Griffin's trip to Washington, D.C. in September 2019 was initially for the proper reason of attending a regional county commissioners conference, the reason stated on a travel voucher submitted by Griffin was "meeting with President.". I dont think the government is entitled to some Secret Service exception or sensitive information exception from proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt, McFadden reiterated Monday before Hawa took the witness stand. A jury will consider this week whether the support group Cowboys for Trump and cofounder Couy Griffin violated state election law by failing to register as a political organization without. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Couy Griffin is one of thousands of Trump loyalists in public office charting an uncertain future ahead of the 2022 election cycle. For years, Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin has been Donald Trump's most flamboyant supporter in New Mexico, creating spectacles and controversy in equal measure. The day-long trial is also expected to feature video footage of the January 14, 2021 meeting of the Otero County commissioners, where Griffin addressed his involvement in the Capitol attack. Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin is being investigated by the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office on grounds he violated the Campaign Reporting Act and the Governmental Conduct Act, and that he allegedly committed embezzlement, racketeering, money laundering and making or permitting a false voucher for public funds. Federal prosecutors have offered Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin a plea agreement over charges that he illegally entered barricades during the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol on January. What now? News, Politics, Culture, and more in realtime. Griffin never complied with the agreement. They said Griffin was a politician in his own right who clearly advocated for Trump while the president was a candidate for reelection, and that Griffin also promoted political positions on border enforcement, gun rights, abortion and more. But she did not take her minor child to war with her as Couy Griffin is doing by taking their son to President Donald Trump campaign events during a pandemic, the attorneys said. Mr. Griffin was convicted in federal court of a misdemeanor for entering restricted U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 without going inside the building. Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty yesterday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in in Alamogordo, New Mexico. US District Judge Trevor McFadden heard one day of testimony without a jury on Monday before handing down a verdict in the misdemeanor case against Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin, a. Couy gotarrestedon 17 January 2021 incharge of his connection in the riots at the U.S. Capitol. The verdict gave the Department of Justice a second win . Oh, the furs and clothing, nope sorry Couy dont pay for clothing either, my bad. Kourtnie Griffin, an Iraqi war veteran, understands "passions for God and country" and believes her ex-husband has a right to express his views, her lawyers said. Griffin is also under investigation by the New Mexico Attorney General's Office for potential criminal charges relating to the September 2019 travel voucher issue. Sign up for notifications from Insider! "Several of the defendant's statements in the recording of the meeting constitute either direct admissions that he was illegally present in a restricted area or evidence of the defendant's state of mind during and after January 6, 2021," prosecutors said. The C4T GoFundMe page states that all monies given will be a direct donation to founder Couy Griffin and will be used as Couy sees fit to move the organization forward, according to records. Aug. 14Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin will face off in court Monday against three New Mexicans who argue in a lawsuit that he should be removed from his post as an Otero County commissioner for participating in an insurrection against the United States. "The Committee to Recall Couy Griffin is very pleased that we have been found with probable cause, no less for all five of the allegations we presented.". Griffins marching with the mob all the way to the inaugural stage, knowing the mobs insurrectionary purpose, likewise constitutes an overt act.. On Monday, federal prosecutors displayed video footage in McFadden's courtroom showing Griffin climbing a makeshift ramp as he approached the Capitol. (Griffin) chose not to take it. By Ewan Palmer On 10/25/21 at 11:33 AM EDT. Supporters of President Donald Trump broke into the building, forcing the evacuation of Congress and Pence as they met to certify the electoral college results. The Cowboys for Trump website was not operational Feb. 13. It is their calling by God that established this ministry. But at the end of the day, you mark my word, we will plant our flag on the desk of [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi and [Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer and Donald Trump if it boils down to it., The bizarre voter-fraud hunt in a New Mexico county Trump won by 25 points. Its the first time a U.S. president has sought to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power. Griffin chose to drive his own personal diesel-fueled pickup truck with large C4T stickers on the drivers and passenger side doors, court records state. The Otero County Clerk's Office, although not a participant in the recall proceedings, is interested to ensure that, if a recall is triggered, it is done in an orderly and clear fashion "so the voters are clear on the process," Ivey-Soto said. Ruling stems from the case of Christopher Rodriguez, who was sentenced as an adult to, Sheriff Shane Ferrari said the dog came out of the vehicle and charged at him, A Luna County man was arrested Monday for allegedly beating his older brother to death. Or is she starstruck, with her boy feeling, how did he put it like a Rockstar? The testimony resolves a mystery over Pences precise location during the attack, which defense attorneys for Griffin had sought to exploit and won permission from a federal judge in Washington to probe with a live Secret Service witness over the Justice Departments objections. But, he hasnt revealed the identity of his son. Reffitt's trial presented a test for the Justice Department as it undertakes an investigation it has called "unprecedented," and the conviction marked a significant victory in the nearly 800 prosecutions related to the January 6 attack. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in southern New Mexico. There is an uncomfortable irony when, in the aftermath of that attack, we purport to defend democracy by using the judicial process to deprive voters of their choice of leader. But this is also a man who beat a Mom and Pop business that has 5 kids out of thousands of dollars. It would be helpful if they would take this opportunity to rule really for the first time what Section 3 means.. Griffin, the Cowboys for Trump founder and an Otero County commissioner, was arrested in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021, after allegedly posting a video on Facebook of himself on the inauguration stage next to the Capitol within the barricaded perimeter of its grounds during the Jan. 6 siege. It doesnt bother local leadership that Couy has made this EXACT same trip time and time again, through donations for whatever cause will pay. Griffin told The Associated Press hes had to make sacrifices for his beliefs and didnt think it was fair that the court will keep his son away from him. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in more than a dozen counties as the typically warm state digs out from rare snowstorms. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. For that official to attack a private citizen who is upset that the County Commissioner for his district is engaging in Fraud is troubling to say the least. You are embarrassing yourself. He shouldn't be punished for showing his pride in his country, Miller said. Instead, he waived trial by jury and bet his freedom on a bench trial before McFadden, who Trump appointed to the federal bench in 2017. Griffin deniedthe allegations claiming they were"frivolous and devoid of merit," court records state. SANTA FE, N.M. -. The text of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment states (key parts bolded): The last time elected officials were disqualified from office using the 14th Amendment appears to be 1869, shortly after the Civil War and the ratification of the 14th Amendment. In closing arguments Wednesday, prosecutors argued that Griffin used Cowboys for Trump to explicitly link political advocacy to appeals for online donations, while flouting registration and financial disclosure requirements for political committees that are designed to ensure transparency and fairness in elections. But when it was operational, it offered options to donate to the organization by direct donation or by purchasing merchandise. Struck responded "no" as the lawyer asked whether Griffin had destroyed anything, confronted law enforcement, or taken any action that would put someone in fear. Griffin elected to have a bench trial, meaning a Trump-appointed judge rather than a jury of 12 will review the evidence and decide his fate. Still waiting on jury deliberations. It should be noted that New York City is over 200 miles north of Washington, D.C., and Griffin had to pass Washington to get there.. He has occasionally surfaced in national news for his violent rhetoric and his efforts to impugn the election results in his home state as recently as this summer.). The Audience's Response Will Give You Goosebumps, 'He's a Stupid Rapper': Gang Member Charged with Murder After Police Hear His Latest Song, 'Ouch': 11 House Democrats Reportedly Snubbed Biden for a Concert, 'Pure Theater': Greta Thunberg 'Detained' at Protest, But Look What Happens After Police Let Her Down, Elderly Man Pulls Out Six-Shooter and Fires Back After Being Shot in Leg by Two Alleged Armed Robbers, Read the Entire Explosive $50 Million Gen. Flynn Lawsuit Against the US Government, Op-Ed: The Pro-Life Movement Has a Golden Opportunity, But Only if We Work Together. Griffin never complied with the agreement. In addition to those legal arguments, the Justice Department asserted that pinpointing Pence's precise location on January 6 would jeopardize the continuing security of future vice presidents, including Vice President Kamala Harris. Griffin returned the funds to Otero County, as officials questioned the legality of the voucher and payment. The judge said the jury has till 10 tonight to come to a verdict or it will be called a mistrial. Otero County GOP Chairman Amy Smith Barela (ahhhh. Plenty of history very bad history was made on Jan. 6, 2021. While still a county commissioner, Griffin joined with Republican colleagues in refusing to certify results of the June 2022 primary election based on distrust of the voting systems used to tally the vote, even though the countys election official said there were no problems. ", Get caught up:Otero Commissioners to discuss calls for resignation of Couy Griffin on Thursday. That travel voucher was approved and a check was cut to Griffin in the amount of$3,237.48. Who is Couy Griffin? The decision interrupts a string of adverse legal decisions for Griffin, who remains barred from elected office under a judges decision upheld by the New Mexico Supreme Court in February. He had a son with her, who currently lives with her. "I've had my own family say. They want to talk about playing a Black national anthem before football games? We proceeded and the judge found for us.". Also, Griffin reportedly hasa sonfrom his former relationship with Kourtnie. After the fall of Roe, the pro-life movement is facing a battle of unprecedented complexity and staggering scope. Mr. the judge asked. The disclosure verifies reporting by ABC journalist and author Jonathan Karl and came in testimony by the liaison officer for Pences Secret Service security detail against the second defendant to face trial in the Capitol attack. Judge Trevor McFadden served as a top Justice Department official in the Trump administration before the Senate confirmed him in 2017 to the federal trial court in Washington, DC. Hes going to run, and weve got to know whether hes allowed to run or not, Magliocca said. Oliver, the Alamogordo Chamber of commerce Executive Director, were the basis of an investigation. Arrieta was assigned to the recall case after all of the 12th Judicial District judges recused themselves. Only the March 11 complaint was heard in the April 8 recall hearing. Prosecutors plan to call a Secret Service inspector and Capitol police inspector later on Monday. Couy Griffin Net Worth Couy Griffin has an estimated Net Worth of $1Million in 2022. In my next musing I will explore Couys court records more thoroughly. He is also awaiting trialon charges ofknowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authorityfor his alleged role in the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol. A Donald Trump supporter, Griffin founded Cowboys for Trump and listed his sister Kay Griffin as its organizer. SANTA FE, N.M., Otero County, New Mexico Commissioner Couy Griffin must be removed from office and disqualified from holding future public office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution based on his participation in the January 6, 2021 insurrection, according to a lawsuit filed today by a group of New Mexico residents. Griffin has five calendar days to file an appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court. Regardless, they said the law only requires that Pence was at the complex or "would be" returning to prove that Griffin unlawfully entered a Secret Service-protected area. maybe thats the Freudian Slip Couy made when setting up @Baredown C4T FB page, well at least thats better than sister), will tout how Couy, C4T and the GOP are protecting the Constitution. Vice President Mike Pence was taken to an underground Senate loading dock after rioters breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and spent four to five hours there under guard with his wife and daughter, the Secret Service confirmed Monday for the first time. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds - AFP / Getty Images, "Cowboys for Trump" co-founder Couy Griffin speaks to reporters as he arrives at federal court in Washington on June 17, 2022. Any special treatment given to her because of her Republican leadership position? Praying for 12 jurors to say in unison "NOT GUILTY"!!. Lets not forget that free food from ranchers too. Couy Griffin Wife, Children Griffin is currently single, he was previously married to his girlfriend Kourtnie A Gates, but they were divorced in 2019. Prosecutors called Matthew Struck, who traveled with Griffin to Washington, DC, and recorded videos of him on January 6. Pence spent Jan. 6 at underground Senate loading dock, Secret Service confirms, QAnon Shaman stays in jail as judge slams his arguments: So frivolous as to insult the Courts intelligence, He kicked back in Pelosis office on Jan. 6. No sir. "We are disappointed that Commissioner Griffin was not able to be here for the entire process. They have a Son Together was born in 2014. Most of these cases fizzled quickly, and none have succeeded. The motion said Couy Griffin "has publicly expressed views and opinions which have incited threats of violence" to his ex-wife and son. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. As per the sources, He was married to him for a long time and got divorced in 2019. No Maam, Griffin said in a video recorded Jan. 7 cited in government filings. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP), Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. I will not be intimidated, I will not be threatened, and I sure as Hell wont back down!! A copy of the check was included in the warrant packet. It seems like Couy prefers to keep details about his family a secret. In 2019, he forged a group of rodeo acquaintances into the promotional group Cowboys for Trump, which staged horseback parades to spread then-President Donald Trumps conservative message on issues such as gun rights and illegal immigration. The dismissed charge against Griffin carried a potential punishment of up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. No we could have a 2nd Amendment rally on those same steps that we had that rally yesterday. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Nicole Maxwell / Alamogordo Daily News So it becomes a security issue when they [rioters] were surrounding a secure site and potentially taking away options for our routes out, said Hawa, who is a veteran of the force for 23 years and served as the Pence security details liaison for his trip to the Capitol. Prosecutors rested their case after Hawas testimony, but McFadden called her to return Tuesday morning. Read our editorial standards. Those pheromones will leave you with lust blinders on and lead you down a bad trail. Indeed, Griffin has been that talk of the town since the news of his arrest swirled in the media. The videos show Griffin on Jan. 6 climbing over a stone wall marking the Capitols security perimeter and climbing over a sideways metal bike rack within it, and spending more than an hour perched on the front railing of the inaugural stage with a bullhorn, ignoring the lingering smell of pepper spray and leading the crowd below in prayer. When two thugs tried to attack an elderly man, he pulled out his own weapon and fired back, scaring them away. Trumps attack on democracy after the November 2020 election started out as an attempt to use the judicial process to deprive voters of their choice of leader. Griffin, who was convicted of a federal misdemeanor in March for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol . Griffins actions have been selfish and place the minor child at risk, in addition to his ex-wifes unborn child, Rosner said.