WASHINGTON (WFXR) — In court documents filed on Monday, federal attorneys provided more information to support their request that a judge revoke the release order for a former Rocky Mount police officer, Thomas Robertson.
Robertson faces charges in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
A judge previously allowed Robertson to remain free until his federal trial under the conditions he did not posses any firearm or destructive devices.
However, in the filing on Monday, July 12, prosecutors say officers discovered a loaded M4 rifle on a dresser in Robertson’s bedroom during an authorized search of his home on June 29, which means Robertson violated the conditions of his release.
Robertson allegedly told police the gun belonged to his son.
During the search, authorities interviewed Robertson’s son, who said his weapon was in his truck. Robertson’s son declined to provide any information about the gun found in his father’s bedroom.
Law enforcement also found four silencers registered to Robertson, as well as a partially assembled pipe bomb.
The court filing from Monday says Robertson argued he was authorized to have the disassembled pipe bomb because he is a trainer for the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Program.
Robertson is also accused of ordering 37 firearms and a significant amount of ammunition from a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer.
According to the court documents, Robertson spent approximately $50,000 on weapons after his indictment. The filing claims Robertson had the weapons shipped to the FFL dealer, who confirmed Robertson possessed the firearms and handled them during his pretrial release.
Federal prosecutors say Robertson violated his release conditions and poses a danger to the community. They are asking the court to detain him pending trial.
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