By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright ©2021
A recent Florida rally protesting the treatment of J6 protestors being held without bail in violation of the Constitution might have turned deadly, were it not for the vigilance of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
The keynote speaker was Florida State Representative Anthony Sabatini who is running for U.S. Congress in FL-07 (north of Orlando.) Remember the name, because you’re going to see big things coming from him. Sabatini is a no-holds-barred, law and order, pro-gun veteran who is pushing for passage of constitutional carry in Florida. The J6 rally was being held near the Pinellas County courthouse. The suspect, Garrett James Smith, was seen in full Antifa Black Bloc attire near the courthouse and jail where a Pinellas County man is being held on a U.S. Marshals warrant without bail for his participation in the J6 protest in DC. When deputies attempted to make contact with him regarding loitering and prowling, Smith ran, and the foot pursuit was on.
After his capture, Smith’s belongings were searched, and deputies found the following items in a backpack: An explosive device, a “Direct Action Checklist”, and a helmet with Antifa insignia. Smith’s car was located in the area, and it contained four of the large M-80 type firecrackers were found. The sheriff’s office obtained a search warrant for his residence. Upon arrival, they were given permission to search his room by Smith’s parents, as he surprisingly lives with them. In Smith’s room, deputies found four grenade type explosive devices as well as another pipe bomb.
Smith had recently returned from Portland, and judging by the checklist, I’m under the impression he recently attended training on Antifa methods and procedures. Smith was booked into the Pinellas County jail on $300,000 bail.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article Ideas. And as always – “Let’s be careful out there.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in lone wolf terrorism, firearms, first aid, active shooter response, and law enforcement vehicle operations in Florida. His writing has appeared in Recoil, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected]