Merrick:
The
prisoner’s name is Nathaniel DeGrave. He was arrested in connection
with the January 6th, 2021, “Capitol breach.” The date of his arrest was
January 28, 2021.
He
has pled not guilty to all charges. It’s important to note that the
description your Office gives of his case lists no date for his
trial. So DeGrave has been in jail for NINE MONTHS, so far, without a
trial.
Here,
first, is your Office’s description of his status. Then I’ll publish
DeGrave’s letter, written from jail. The letter has already been
published elsewhere online, and people all over the world have read
it. It details the conditions under which he is being held. Not in a
remote foreign country; in America.
If
you don’t believe his letter merits an immediate intercession on your
part, and a speedy investigation, then what are you there for? You’re
the head of the US Department of JUSTICE.
The
last time I looked, the legal framework of America still contained a
(fading) phrase: innocent until proven guilty. Do you believe in that
concept? Does it strike you as real and legitimate? Or would you say
it’s just a fantasy for fools?
DEGRAVE, Nathaniel J. (aka, Nathan DeGrave)
Case Number:
1:21-cr-90
Charge(s):
Assaulting,
Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers; Civil Disorder; Obstruction of
an Official Proceeding; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building
or Grounds; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building
or Grounds; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; Impeding Passage
Through the Capitol Grounds or Buildings; Act of Physical Violence in
the Capitol Grounds or Buildings; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing
in a Capitol Building
Location of Arrest:
NEVADA, Las Vegas
Case Status:
Arrested 1/28/21. Indicted 2/5/21.
Arraigned 3/16/21 and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Detention hearings held on 3/25/21 and 4/26/21.
Superseding indictment issued 9/15. Arraigned 9/27 and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Defendant remains committed. Status conference at for 10/21 at 12:30 pm.
Case Documents:
DeGrave, Nathan - Complaint & Statement of Facts
Degrave - Indictment
Sandlin-DeGrave Superseding Indictment
And now, here is Nathaniel DeGrave’s letter, written from jail:
Dear Fellow Americans –
I never thought I’d write a letter like this, but we’re living in very different times. This is my cry for help.
My
name is Nathan DeGrave, and as a non violent participant at the Jan 6th
rally, I’ve spent the last 9 months detained as a political prisoner in
pod C2B at the DC DOC…otherwise known as DC’s Gitmo.
The
conditions here for Jan 6ers have been inhumane. In fact, some inmates
are even begging to be transferred to GUANTANAMO BAY, where even THEY
have more acceptable standards.
Class
action LAWSUITS are being filed against this prison; and even the ACLU
has gotten involved. Senators Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene have
since attempted to gain access to this facility and inspect the
conditions of the jail, only to be denied.
The vile filth of what has become our daily life is being illegally HIDDEN from the members of OUR OWN CONGRESS.
So…let
me tell you about what me and many of the other Jan 6ers have been
experiencing in DC’s Gitmo. It is my hope that with MEDIA EXPOSURE and
the awareness of the American public, that SOMETHING may be done and
this never happens to anyone ever again.
OUR CONDITIONS
For
the first 120 days in DC’s Gitmo, Jan 6ers experienced DAILY LOCKDOWNS
for 23-24 HOURS before being allowed to leave our small 120 sq. ft cell.
The PHYSICAL and MENTAL ANGUISH that results from this kind of SEVERE
ISOLATION has caused many people to go on a RAPID mental decline.
As
a result, a large percentage of us are HEAVILY MEDICATED with
anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drugs, which helps to cope with the
psychological and mental ABUSE we endure.
Many
times, the little rec we DO receive is STRIPPED AWAY if our cell isn’t
up to the standards of the guard on duty. This changes from day to day.
Jan 6ers have lost rec time and out of cell activity ANY TIME news
interviews about the jail are aired on TV, people speak up about our
conditions, or rallies are held in our name. We’ll probably have a
lockdown upon the publishing of this letter. So I have already warned
those I know in advance.
Masks
are WEAPONIZED and used against us, even though we NEVER leave the
facility. Officers have walked in with the SOLE INTENTION of needing to
write 20-30 disciplinary reports against Jan 6ers, which adversely
effects our chances of release and causes loss of privileges, phone time
and commissary. Masks need to be covering both the nose and mouth AT
ALL TIMES or we are threatened and locked down in our cells. Jan 6ers
are always respectful to the employees around us, but C.Os maintain the
need to invent reasons for discipline.
PRIVILEGED
LEGAL DOCUMENTS have been CONFISCATED and gone missing from various
cells, and HIGHLY SENSITIVE discovery (video evidence under
attorney/client privilege) is watched by employees during our legal
calls.
Jordan
Mink, for example, had all discovery TAKEN by ERT officers on August
23rd despite the objection of his attorney. They handcuffed him,
searched his room, and then proceeded to take all video evidence in his
possession. Additionally, legal visits take 2-3 WEEKS or more to be
scheduled, leaving little time to discuss our defense and prepare for
trial.
The
EXTREME medical neglect in this facility has caused a variety of
adverse illnesses and disease. Some show signs of scurvy. And some even
have Covid like symptoms, but medical personnel have refused to treat
it.
Christopher
Worrell, for example, is an inmate with Cancer, who also broke his hand
in prison and requires surgery. Both have been completely ignored.
Federal judge Royce Lamberth got to the point where on October 12th, he
filed contempt of court charges against the warden of the DC DOC,
claiming that Worrell’s civil rights have been violated, and demanding
the U.S attorney general inquire further about his and other possible
violations.
Another
inmate, Peter Stager, WAITED FOUR MONTHS to receive his CPAP breathing
machine, and has needed an MRI since spring, which has also been ignored
by staff.
The
harsh, unlivable conditions of our unit has caused health hazards that
defy Department of Health regulations. And on at least five occasions,
RAW SEWAGE has overflowed our unit, causing human fecal matter to flood
the floors and rooms. That’s also in addition to the MOLD on cell walls,
as well as the rusty pipes, and DIRTY WATER that flows from these
sinks. White rags TURN BROWN when exposed to the water from our faucets.
We
are undergoing SEVERE NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES and STARVATION. For
breakfast this morning, I received a tray of flavorless paste, two
slices of bread, and a slice of bologna. Lunches usually consist of rice
and beans, but we’ll get cold chicken/beef patties if we are lucky. For
dinner, we are sometimes fed a diet of cheese sandwiches, and bologna
and cheese 4 to 5 times per week.
Without
commissary, people like myself are FORCED TO STARVE. I suffer from
HEADACHES and NAUSEA on an almost REGULAR BASIS from the malnutrition
and constant hunger I am subjected to. I have lost ALMOST 15 POUNDS
since I’ve been detained.
Our
rights to personal hygiene are also totally neglected. Razors are
PROHIBITED, and inmates are forced to either go unshaved, and grow long
beards, or use a razor free cream that BURNS and IRRITATES the skin. But
many other jails have allowed the use of razors without incident.
Haircuts are also PROHIBITED from unvaccinated inmates. For me, it’s
been nearly 9 months. I look VIRTUALLY UNRECOGNIZABLE in the condition
I’m in. I fear even my family would not recognize me.
Contact
with the outside world, from legal visits to seeing loved ones is
HIGHLY RESTRICTED. After in-person visits, legal or otherwise, we are
forced to undergo humiliating STRIP SEARCHES, despite ALL visitors being
thoroughly checked for contraband. If it’s a legal visit, we are placed
in a 14 day quarantine, with no out of cell time; EVEN IF your attorney
is VACCINATED and tests NEGATIVE for Covid. Visits with friends or
family members, for unvaccinated inmates, are NEVER ALLOWED.
As
a result, many people have skipped critical meetings with their
council, and NEVER get an opportunity to see friends or family. VIDEO
VISITATION, while available to the rest of the jail, is RESTRICTED in
the Jan 6 pod. Mail is delayed for MONTHS, and phone calls are limited
to a MAXIMUM of pre approved 12 numbers. If there’s anyone else in our
extended family or otherwise we’d like to call, we’re pretty much out of
luck.
RELIGIOUS
SERVICES, protected by the 1st amendment, are NOT provided to Jan 6ers.
Neither are in person classes or other activities available to the rest
of the jail. An inmate named Ryan Samsel, instead attempted to organize
his own bible study inside the pod, until he was viciously BEATEN and
LEFT FOR DEAD by correctional officers. He suffered a broken eye socket
and brain damage as a result of the vicious attack. He’s now permanently
blind in one eye. On another occasion, Scott Fairlamb was confronted by
an officer in the middle of the night, and his life was threatened,
once the officer’s body cam was disabled. Many, like myself, are afraid
they could be the next victim.
And
last but not least, we experience racism from many guards on a daily
basis, being the ONLY WHITE REPUBLICANS in the entire jail. The false
narrative is has been passed around the jail and to corrections officers
that we are “white supremacists” (we are NOT). The inmate population is
predominantly black, so we are at risk being here because of this false
narrative. The guards are mostly liberal migrants from Africa who have
been conditioned to hate us, and hate America. Jan 6ers have been
mocked, beaten and ridiculed by guards for singing the National Anthem.
The Corrections Officers despise our politics and the love we have for
this country. At one point, an officer even yelled “FUCK AMERICA!”, and
threatened to lock us down FOR A WEEK if we attempted to sing the
National Anthem again.
THE TRUTH ABOUT MY STORY
Finally, I feel like I should touch briefly on the government and prosecutor’s portrayal of who I am as a person.
No,
I am not a terrorist, extremist or any of the other names I’ve been
called by the government. More than anything, I am a red blooded patriot
and I love this country more than anything.
I
am being unfairly prosecuted and definitely overcharged. I never
assaulted anyone, destroyed property, or stolen anything. I walked
through wide open doors to enter the Capitol, along with my camera crew
hoping to get the rally on video. I was never even armed at any point
inside the Capitol.
Our
goal was to make a documentary, and get likes and shares on social
media. Yes I wore a costume (that the prosecutor refers to as
paramilitary gear and body armor) but it was for the movie and was
nothing of the sort.
And
yet, 9 months later here I sit, with 10 years worth of charges and no
hope for a future. The surveillance footage shows absolutely no signs of
assault, and despite attempts by media companies to get it released to
the public, the government has denied it.
I
think that’s because they are fully aware that this footage is
questionable at worst, and exonerates me at best. Please don’t be fooled
by the media. I am a loving and peaceful person with no history of
violence.
This
weaponized DOJ and their blatant resentment of my respect for President
Donald Trump is putting me in a situation that makes me feel helpless
in my current situation.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Despite
me and other Jan 6ers experiencing these unthinkable conditions, all of
us remain POSITIVE and HOPEFUL that, in the end, JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL.
We maintain a LOVE for this country and the Constitution like no other.
The only thing keeping us going is our undying patriotism, the
camaraderie between one another and our faith in God.
Please…SHARE
THIS LETTER with EVERYONE you know: friends and family, senators,
representatives, political organizers, civil rights groups and media
outlets.
The truth HAS to get out. And the jail MUST PAY for what they are doing to this country’s citizens.
As
a result of this unlawful detainment the last 9 months, I have lost
everything. The successful business I spent 13 years of my life working
on, my apartment in Las Vegas, social media accounts with a lifetime of
memories…you name it.
The
government has essentially CANCELLED ME. Not only that, but following
the arrest, my best friend of 12 years robbed my apartment, stole my
cat, and hacked my personal Instagram with 100,000+ followers.
Since
then, I often go between feelings of hopefulness and moments of
depression. I wonder if I can ever recover from this, but I have to
remind myself to never give up.
There are major medical complications I now struggle with as a result of the jail’s neglect of my health since being here.
If
there is any way I hope to recover, my only hope are the ones who are
reading this. I was on top of the world once upon a time, and that life
seems now only like a distant memory.
If
there’s anything you can do to help, I would appreciate anything at
all. Inmates here are being extorted with lack of nutrition, forcing me
to spend most of what’s left on commissary which I can no longer afford.
I
need desperate help with my legal expenses and just help staying alive
in here with commissary and all the expenses I still have on the outside
as my livelihood and life has been stripped away from me. Thank you for
any help you can afford, even if it is a few dollars it goes a long way
in here.
Sincerely and with love,
Nathaniel DeGrave
~~~
Remember, Merrick, this is a man who has not yet been to trial. His trial date has not been set.
~~~
(The link to this article posted on my blog is here -- with sources.)
(Follow me on Gab at @jonrappoport)
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