A local mother of eight, who was arrested for participating in the violence that erupted at the U.S. Capitol, will be released on $10,000 unsecured bond after a detention hearing was held in federal court on Tuesday.
Rachel Powell, is currently being held in the Butler County Prison, which is a holding facility for federal inmates, and was charged with obstruction, depredation of government property, restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon, restricted building or grounds and violent entry or disorderly conduct.
After 5 days in jail, Powell, the now nationally known “Pink Hat Lady” caught in several viral videos in the Capitol violence will be released on electronic ankle monitoring and house arrest. She was also ordered to surrender her passport and is restricted to stay in Pennsylvania or Washington, D.C. for court hearings only, and is not to possess any firearms.
Federal Judge Lisa Lenihan said that based on what she saw during the hearing, “that you are a danger to the community.”
“Personally I’m appalled and disgusted by what happened on Jan. 6. But we are not here to judge you for your actions. That is for another judge on another day,” Judge Lenihan said.
But the judge cited the fact that Powell is a mother to eight children, five ages 4-17 whom she home schools, as reasons to deem her not a flight risk.
Powell’s attorney, Michael Engle, argued that she turned her kids over to her ex-husband on Jan. 6 and didn’t tell him where she was going/her family has not seen her since.
Engle told the court she was not a flight risk, with long-standing ties in her community and she didn’t have the money or resources to flee.
Powell’s attorney, , previous released this statement to Channel 11:
“Rachel Powell is neither a danger to her community or a risk of flight. She hired counsel to assist her in turning herself in to the FBI and to address these charges. It is inconceivable that she would try to run and leave her children without their mother.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking for Powell in connection with the violence at the U.S. Capitol last month, before she turned herself in to New Castle Police. She was seen on video wearing a pink hat and holding a bullhorn, directing people during the January attack, according to charging documents.
Photos allegedly show Powell using a large pipe to break windows of the Capitol to get inside.
When the FBI raided her Mercer County home and car they found several go bags, including ammo, zip ties, rope and duct tape --- but no guns.
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