WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge has eased the pre-trial provisions for George Tanios, the Morgantown man accused in connection with the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Despite objections from federal prosecutors, Judge Thomas Hogan ended home confinement and placed Tanios on an initial curfew of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. following a Wednesday court hearing.
“I’m giving you more leeway than the government wished you to have Mr. Tanios. I am going to rely upon you that you are not going to cause any other difficulties or get into any other trouble and not be encouraging others to do so,” Hogan said.
Attorneys for Tanios told the court he needed flexibility to take a new job, manage the sale of his sandwich shop business and seek care for mental physical ailments.
“I have a business that I have a lease on and I’m attempting to sell that business and/or remove my assets into storage,” Tanios told the Judge. “I’m currently paying $2,500 a month for the past eight months and it is inactive. I also have three children- a five-year-old, two twins and a fiancé that isn’t working due to my circumstances.”
Tanios told the judge the sandwich shop he ran for 15 years is now closed and was his only source of income.
Tanios will be working the day shift at a local pizza shop in training for about one month. Once training is complete, Tanios will be allowed to adjust his curfew to allow him to operate the night shift from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tanios is also allowed 30 minutes travel time to and from work.
Under conditions of the curfew, Tanios can change the times to go to the doctor or accommodate a change in his work schedule with a call or email to the Pre-Trial Services Officer. Tanios would also be able to exercise or conduct other business by coordinating with officials.
Judge Hogan also warned Tanios about his use of social media. Tanios told the judge he has never used online platforms to make threats or organize unrest.
“Your honor I’m not guilty, I’m innocent,” Tanios told the judge. “I’ve never posted anything or showed any hate toward anyone, law enforcement or anybody that would pertain to this matter.”
Tanios is accused of collaborating with longtime friend Julian Khater in assaulting U.S. Capitol police officers with a strong form of pepper spray.
Tanios is accused of obtaining and carrying the pepper spray, and Khater is accused of spraying it at officers, causing them to be injured and resulting in a distraction that enabled others to breach a bike rack barrier outside the Capitol. One of the officers, Brian Sicknick, later died but a medical examiner ruled the chemical spray was not the direct cause.
Tanios and Khater are charged with nine counts including assaulting three officers with a deadly weapon. The charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Tanios has pleaded not guilty.
He was initially jailed but was granted release on home confinement after a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The initial conditions included electronic monitoring, prohibition from using any illegal drugs or possessing weapons plus surrender of his passport to the U.S. Probation Office.
The terms allowed for Tanios to request a modification after 30 days to seek employment. This decision is a result of that request.
Hundreds of people now face charges in connection with the riot. They are being processed in a court system still operating under coronavirus protocols.
In earlier court filings, lawyers for Tanios described his regret over even going to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
“Mr. Tanios is a family-oriented business owner who traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend what he believed would be an extremely important political rally,” his lawyers wrote. “It seemed exciting, different, interesting, and an opportunity to express his support for his political party in a meaningful way.
Judge Hogan said Wednesday the next step in the case would be a status hearing. He did not set a date.