THOMASVILLE — While U.S. senators offer arguments on former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial for inciting a January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, a 58-year-old Baker County man remains out on bond following his charges on the attack.

Michael Shane Daughtry is charged federally with entering a restricted building or grounds, a misdemeanor. He is among individuals charged in a criminal complaint and arrest warrant filed in the District of Columbia in connection with violence at the U.S. Capitol in January.

At a preliminary and detention hearing in Macon U.S. District Court, Daughtry was released on bond with conditions that include internet restrictions. His firearms are being held by U.S. marshals.

On Jan. 6, a joint session of Congress convened at the Capitol to certify the vote count of the Electoral College of the 2020 presidential election.

With the joint session underway and with then-Vice President Mike Pence presiding, a large crowd gathered outside the Capitol. Capitol police attempted to keep the crowd away from the building and proceedings underway inside. Some individuals forced their way over barricades and advanced toward the Capitol.

The investigation into Daughtry began Jan. 7, when a Pelham Police Department officer provided the FBI with screen shots of Daughtry’s social media posts in which he referred to “storming” the Capitol, according to the recently-unsealed criminal complaint and arrest warrant affidavit filed by an FBI agent.

The document states that on Jan. 4, Daughtry posted on social media that he intended to travel to Washington on Jan. 6. Another social media post by Daughtry said he participated in the Capitol breach.

This prompted a Pelham Police Department officer to call Daughtry and record the conversation, according to the affidavit. During the conversation, Daughtry stated he was at the Capitol that day and he was one of the first people to force his way past the barricades surrounding the perimeter. He acknowledged during the call that he went “up to the Capitol door” but “had to back off” when law enforcement officers shot him with rubber bullets.

“We the one that tore the fence down up there,” Daughtry also stated. “We was the first ones over the fence. Everybody followed us.”

According to the affidavit, Daughtry operates a business known as “Crazy Coon’s Armory” from his Baker County residence.

The document states that on Nov. 2, 2020, Daughtry posted an “apparent advertisement” that read: “Anyone needing an AR15 and some extra ammo before the election, I’ve got a couple left in stock. . . It may be your last chance if the election don’t go right tomorrow! Let me know if you are interested?”

The affidavit states that Daughtry posted photographs of the Capitol the day the building was stormed, along with the day after.

The FBI agent’s affidavit stated there was probable cause to believe Daughtry violated a U.S. law that makes it a crime to enter a restricted building without authority, impede or disrupt official government functions or to participate in an act of physical violence against a person or property in a restricted building or grounds.

William McCall Calhoun, 57, an Americus resident and suspect in the Jan. 6 event, remains in custody. He is charged with entering a restricted building or grounds, violent entry or disorderly conduct and tampering with a witness, victim or informant.

According to information provided by the U.S. attorney’s office in Macon, Calhoun fled from Americus and traveled to Macon to stay at his sister’s residence, where he was taken into custody Jan. 15.

      

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820