January 6 Rioters From Iowa Fight Prosecutors’ Use Of Photos

On January 6^th, 2021, there were riots on the US capitol over the 2020 election… but you probably don’t need me to give you the whole run down on what happened there.

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People traveled from all over to take part in these riots, including from Iowa.

One mother, Deborah Sandoval of Des Moines, currently being accused of taking part in the riots with her son. In a recent article in Iowa Capitol Dispatch, she is also trying to block federal prosecutors from using a photo of her and the Proud Boys posing.

Deborah and her son Salvador Sandoval Jr of Ankeny were arrested over a year ago facing charges that include violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and entering/remaining in restricted building without authority. They both face other separate charges from the incident.

In the article, Deborah’s lawyer argues that “she did not come to Washington, D.C., with the intent to go to the Capitol Building. Instead, she came to Washington, D.C., to attend a political rally at the invitation and urging of the former president.”

Prosecutors have been collecting photos and videos from the event. One photo they have gathered, says Sandoval’s lawyers, was not taken at the riot in January, but instead in December 2020.

In the Iowa Capitol Dispatch Article, the family’s lawyers addressed the photos.

“Unfortunately, there is at least one photo of Ms. Sandoval posing with members of the Proud Boys on an occasion before Jan. 6, 2021. It is believed that the government may try to introduce some of these photos as well as videos of the storming of the Capitol building during an opening statement, or in its case in chief. In so doing, they would be creating a false impression, that Ms. Sandoval participated in or coordinated the planning of riotous behavior.”

The Proud Boys are an extreme right, neo-fascist organization. They have been linked to acts of violence in the past.