Saturday, August 13th, 2022
Area Pair Caught In 1/6 Probe
Celina couple arrested on federal charges
By Leslie Gartrell
Submitted Photo
Donald and Shawndale Chilcoat can be see on video footage entering the Senate chambers. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
CELINA - A Celina couple arrested Thursday on federal charges stemming from the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Shawndale and Don Chilcoat were arrested in Celina by Toledo Police Department officers and face six charges each, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
The Chilcoats each were charged with felony obstruction or impeding an official proceeding, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
They were also each charged with five misdemeanors - entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; entering and remaining in the gallery of Congress; disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; parade, demonstrate or picket in any of the Capitol builds.
Each misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of a fine and up to six months in prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations established the Chilcoats were present at the insurrection from posts on social media, phone records and footage from U.S. Capitol Police CCTV and Senate TV recordings, according to a statement of facts provided in the criminal complaint.
The complaint includes pictures of the Chilcoats entering the Senate chambers from CCTV footage and photos they took of each other on the Senate floor.
Submitted Photo
Pictures reportedly taken by Shawndale and Donald Chilcoat. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Investigators reportedly acted on multiple tips the Chilcoats were part of the insurrection and entered the U.S. Capitol illegally.
"Another tipster … provided a tip that stated 'Donny Chilcoat & wife from St. Marys, OH supposedly seen in the photo behind 'man with horn hat' as he entered the Capital Building. Donny is resporting (sic) to friends he was there & inside. Also, a bus from Coldwater, OH took group to Trump speech, then the group attended Capital Riots,'" the statement of facts reads.
In screenshots from Shawndale Chilcoat's Facebook account provided in the criminal complaint, Shawndale Chilcoat allegedly posted several videos and pictures of the couple storming the Capitol building.
"OK so antifa is being blamed for breaking windows and storming congress. Um no, it was us I was with them and couldn't be more proud," Shawndale Chilcoat allegedly wrote in a post on Facebook, per the complaint. "Please stop giving them credit and realize trumps side has crazies too and they should stew on that for awhile."
The complaint also alleges Shawndale Chilcoat in a video sent to other Facebook users said "I'm right at the top of the congress… we're going to show them how they need to vote today."
The criminal complaint includes screenshots of Facebook posts posted by "Shawndale Morgan Chilcoat" at what appears to be the U.S. Capitol building. One screenshot in the complaint showed a posted video with the caption: "This should be a warning to congress, just try it on the 20th and u wont have to worry about bidens day not having anyone show up!"
Don and Shawndale Chilcoat are being held in the Lucas County Jail. A detention hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday at the U.S. District Courthouse, 1716 Spielbush Ave., Toledo, courtroom 224.
