NEW ORLEANS — The father and son from Covington who were arrested in connection with the January 6, 2021 insurrection in Washington D.C. have been ordered to turn over any passport they may have and to surrender their firearms as a condition of their bond, which was granted Friday in federal court in New Orleans.
Willard Purkel, Jr., 51, and his son, Coby Purkel, 27, appeared in court with shackles on their hands and wrists. They were arrested Thursday on charges that include:
- Misdemeanor offenses of 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 or grounds
- Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building
The Purkels are next scheduled to appear in front of a Washington, D.C. court, though they will be allowed to make that appearance via Zoom.
The FBI said that a raid of the Purkels’ residence uncovered several firearms, which were allowed to be turned over to family members.
According to court documents, the Purkels joined a group of rioters who forcibly entered the Capitol through the East Rotunda doors and pushed against police officers at approximately 3:21 p.m.
Both men were eventually escorted outside by authorities, which led to Willard Purkel climbing atop an armored truck before walking with his son to the west side of the Capitol, where they remained until officers attempted to clear the area.
The FBI arrested the two men on Thursday in Covington, and they will make their initial appearance in the Eastern District of Louisiana-U.S. District Court in New Orleans.