Last year, he became the first elected official to be banished from elected office in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol building, which disrupted Congress as it was trying to certify President Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. It states his conduct resultedin his banishment from the Mescalero Apache Reservation, that he used county resources for non-commission reasons namely forGriffin's political advocacy companyCowboys for Trump, filing an improper travel voucher and violating the Gift Act when he received approximately $3,500 from a restricted donor to pay back the travel reimbursement from the travel voucher. If you dont believe me, ask all those who thought Dennis Rader was such a nice guy. This is America, we play the National Anthem in America today.. In July 2020, a check from a bank account for Cowboys for Trump was sent to Griffin's ex-wife for child support. Read our editorial standards. The judge said Griffin also repeatedly has defied health orders to put a mask on his son at public events and has openly said he will continue to do so. "Cowboys for Trump" co-founder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in southern New Mexico. On Sept. 23, 2019, Griffin submitted a travel voucher for $3,237, which included straight per-diem, meaning he did not submit receipts for the trip. I use very sharp words, dripping with sarcasm but in person, I would do anything for anyone regardless of their politics. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. We had unknown individuals who were breaking through a security barrier, a site where we had protectees. Kourtnie Griffin, an Iraqi war veteran, understands passions for God and country and believes her ex-husband has a right to express his views, her lawyers said. Couy Griffin has been barred from in-person visits with his son due to social media posts that have produced threats and for refusing to comply with the requirements of the COVID-19 mask. A jury will consider this week whether the support group . Couy Griffins career background is not sufficiently transparent as his bio cannot be found on Wikipedia. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Couy Griffin has been reported as one of the men involved in the riots at the U.S. Capitol that occurred on January 6, 2021. Struck responded "no" as the lawyer asked whether Griffin had destroyed anything, confronted law enforcement, or taken any action that would put someone in fear. General Flynn is suing the federal government for $50 million. 1 dead, 1 hospitalized after shooting on East Central. Griffin invoked free speech protections in declining to register and disclose the donors to Cowboys for Trump and expressed concern that financial contributors might be harassed. Their son was born in 2014. The testimony resolves a mystery over Pences precise location during the attack, which defense attorneys for Griffin had sought to exploit and won permission from a federal judge in Washington to probe with a live Secret Service witness over the Justice Departments objections. A grain-mill fire broke out in New Zealand on Thursday, with a fire official saying the plant was being "treated as a crime scene.". Search warrants filed by the AGs Office earlier this month show the office is searching GoFundMe accounts associated with Cowboys for Trump, Griffin and Casey Conlee established since Jan. 20, 2019. But the judge paid close attention to testimony Monday about whether Griffin knew that he was crossing barriers or otherwise entering areas off limits to the public and the reason the barriers were erected. Prosecutors later acknowledged that Harris had in fact left the vicinity beforehand and cleaned up their error in charging and other documents. "To mount a meaningful defense Griffin must be allowed to test the veracity of the Government's contention that Vice President Pence was on the Capitol grounds during the relevant period," McFadden ruled. The day-long trial is also expected to feature video footage of the January 14, 2021 meeting of the Otero County commissioners, where Griffin addressed his involvement in the Capitol attack. Ahead of the trial, McFadden rejected Griffin's claim that he was politically targeted. Otero County Commission member and Cowboys for Trump co-founder Couy Griffin rides his horse on 5th avenue on May 1, 2020 in New York City. . Who is Couy Griffin? Defense attorney Jonathan Miller portrayed Griffin as just a guy who rides a horse" and tried to do the right thing by registering Cowboys for Trump as a for-profit corporation and notifying donors that they cannot deduct donations from taxes. The Otero County Clerk's Office, although not a participant in the recall proceedings, is interested to ensure that, if a recall is triggered, it is done in an orderly and clear fashion "so the voters are clear on the process," Ivey-Soto said. After the fall of Roe, the pro-life movement is facing a battle of unprecedented complexity and staggering scope. Prosecutors rested their case after Hawas testimony, but McFadden called her to return Tuesday morning. Professionally, Kourtnie is an Iraqi war veteran. By Jack Davis March 3, 2023 . Pence spent Jan. 6 at underground Senate loading dock, Secret Service confirms, QAnon Shaman stays in jail as judge slams his arguments: So frivolous as to insult the Courts intelligence, He kicked back in Pelosis office on Jan. 6. He was one of 10 more people to be arrested on Saturday and Sunday. Supporters of President Donald Trump broke into the building, forcing the evacuation of Congress and Pence as they met to certify the electoral college results. In July 2020, a check from a bank account for Cowboys for Trump was sent to Griffins ex-wife for child support. The group said this week seek arbitration in a fight with the New Mexico Secretary of State over fines and required reports. Some have sought to wield that seldom-invoked provision against members of Congress, without success, and even floated using it against Trump. (Griffin is the founder of a group called Cowboys for Trump, which has been promoted by the former president. I dont think the government is entitled to some Secret Service exception or sensitive information exception from proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt, McFadden reiterated Monday before Hawa took the witness stand. Although Griffin's trip to Washington, D.C. in September 2019 was initially for the proper reason of attending a regional county . Unlike that trial, which featured felony charges, Griffin was accused only of misdemeanor offenses. He is a pastor, a Republican and the son of a former commissioner in Catron County, New Mexico. New evidence was released in the case against Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin. Congress used the 14th Amendment to disqualify Socialist Rep. Victor Berger in 1919, but not the insurrection provision specifically, and this was not a court decision. Griffin elected to have a bench trial, meaning a Trump-appointed judge rather than a jury of 12 will review the evidence and decide his fate. How Republicans became the party of Trumps election lie after Jan. 6, It is wild to see that he was in a loading dock in an underground parking garage beneath the Capitol complex, Karl said during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. There was no place to sit, no desk, no chairs, nothing.. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter. Also, Griffin reportedly hasa sonfrom his former relationship with Kourtnie. Regardless, they said the law only requires that Pence was at the complex or "would be" returning to prove that Griffin unlawfully entered a Secret Service-protected area. When two thugs tried to attack an elderly man, he pulled out his own weapon and fired back, scaring them away. The office alleged Griffin misused campaign donations associated with Cowboys for Trump to pay child support for his son. Couy isAmericanby nationality as he is a native of New Mexico. Kourtnie Griffin, an Iraqi war veteran, understands "passions for God and country" and believes her ex-husband has a right to express his views, her lawyers said. Any special treatment given to her because of her Republican leadership position? He had a son with her, who currently lives with her. Ruling stems from the case of Christopher Rodriguez, who was sentenced as an adult to, Sheriff Shane Ferrari said the dog came out of the vehicle and charged at him, A Luna County man was arrested Monday for allegedly beating his older brother to death. Hes going to run, and weve got to know whether hes allowed to run or not, Magliocca said. The former Disneyland rodeo cowboy once rode down New York's Sixth Avenue wearing the furs of bobcats and coyotes he trapped and skinned, brandishing an American flag. In the cross-examination of Struck, a defense lawyer for Griffin used his questioning to underscore that the "Cowboys for Trump" co-founder was not violent on January 6 and did not enter the Capitol building itself. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in southern New Mexico. Wednesday's emergency proclamation in the counties of Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma and Tulare will . Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Couy Griffin has been reported as one of the men involved in the riots at the U.S. Capitol that occurred on January 6, 2021. His trial comes just weeks after a jury in Washington, DC, found Guy Reffitt guilty on five charges, including possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds. The sheer number of members of Congress who voted both against certifying the election and, later, to convict Donald Trump at his impeachment trial had few if any historical parallels. Including allegations of drunk driving with 5 yr child. Sanchez presented the allegations to Arrieta even after Griffin left the hearing. And Im damn sure no quitter!!". Just dont say anything bad about a scammer politician for the Republican Party of Otero County, otherwise Amy Smith Barela might try to intimidate you too. and signed a child-support check to his ex-wife from his . At the same time, Griffins conviction was for misdemeanor trespassing, for which he was sentenced to 14 days and a $3,000 fine. The original civil complaintwas filed March 11 with amended complaints filed March 24 and April 5 by the Committee to Recall Couy Griffin. He shouldn't be punished for showing his pride in his country, Miller said. Defense lawyers plan to grill the Secret Service about ex-Vice President Mike Pence's whereabouts. The hearing was only to establish probable cause, in other words to determine if there wasevidence of truth to the charges alleged. Griffin said in a text message that he felt blessed to be judged by a jury of peers in his home community and has never felt as vindicated.". Updated: March 23, 2022 - 2:43 PM Published: January 6, 2022 - 1:40 PM ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Couy Griffin, Cowboys for Trump founder and Otero County commissioner, was arrested last year for his. Griffin also said the reelection campaign for Trump would distance itself from Cowboys for Trump after Griffin posted the video. The Court concludes that Mr. Griffins crossing of barricades to approach the Capitol were overt acts in support of the insurrection, as Griffins presence closer to the Capitol building increased the insurrectionists intimidation by numbers, wrote Mathew, who was appointed to the bench by former Republican Gov. Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin is being investigated by the New Mexico Attorney General's Office on grounds he violated the Campaign Reporting Act and the. In closing arguments Wednesday, prosecutors argued that Griffin used Cowboys for Trump to explicitly link political advocacy to appeals for online donations while flouting registration and financial disclosure requirements for political committees. Biden enlists potential rivals as advisers ahead of 2024, Their toddler took a nap in an Airbnb and fentanyl killed her, removed Otero County commissioner Couy Griffin, to disqualify Socialist Rep. Victor Berger in 1919, sought to disqualify several members of Congress. The extent of his criminal activity is the subject of this investigation.. So, there are details about his age and birthday at the moment. That travel voucher was approved and a check was cut to Griffin in the amount of$3,237.48. But she did not take her minor child to war with her as Couy Griffin is doing by taking their son to President Donald Trump campaign events during a pandemic, the attorneys said. I would have wanted him to have the opportunity to argue his points here," Sanchez said. But when it was operational, it offered options to donate to the organization by direct donation or by purchasing merchandise. It should be noted that New York City is over 200 miles north of Washington, D.C., and Griffin had to pass Washington to get there.. The board ultimately certified the election on a 2-1 vote with Griffin still voting no based on a gut feeling., Trump cowboy found not guilty of campaign finance charge. Judge Trevor McFadden served as a top Justice Department official in the Trump administration before the Senate confirmed him in 2017 to the federal trial court in Washington, DC. The text of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment states (key parts bolded): The last time elected officials were disqualified from office using the 14th Amendment appears to be 1869, shortly after the Civil War and the ratification of the 14th Amendment. District Judge Mary Rosner ruled July 14 that Couy Griffin can only see his son on Facetime calls after he ignored orders to remove social media photos of his son at Cowboys for Trump events. While still a county commissioner, Griffin joined with Republican colleagues in refusing to certify the June 2022 primary election results based on distrust of the voting systems used to tally the vote. Cowboys for Trump . Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in more than a dozen counties as the typically warm state digs out from rare snowstorms. Pastor Dewey and his wife, Sharon founded FGGAM in August of 2012. Couy's ex-wife, Kourtnie, is a 34 years old Iraqi war veteran who was born in the year 1986. You are embarrassing yourself. Whether its riding for Israel or doing the Covid Canter. Deputies arrest man in attempted robbery that led to Bernalillo County deputies arrested a man Bernalillo County deputies arrested a man in an armed robbery-turned-gunfight that left his alleged accomplice dead last year in Southwest Albuquerque. 6.). He also required to complete community service. FILE - Otero County, New Mexico Commissioner Couy Griffin speaks to reporters as he arrives at federal court in Washington, June 17, 2022. But she "did not take her minor child to war with her" as Couy Griffin is doing by taking their son to President Donald Trump campaign events during a pandemic, the attorneys said. Couy Dale Griffin (born 1973) is a former politician who served from 2019 to 2022 as a county commissioner for District 2 of Otero County, New Mexico, which covers Tularosa, Three Rivers, La Luz, the western parts of Alamogordo, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Griffinrequested for the case to be dismissed and if it was not dismissed then he filed a demand for a jury trial in the case. Couy Griffin is a political figure who served as County Commissioner of Otero County, New Mexico from 2019 until she was removed from her position on Tuesday, 6 September 2022. Mr Griffin, a county official in Otero County, New Mexico, added that the aftermath of the election had added to difficulties with relatives and his divorced wife. Griffin never complied with the agreement. But this is also a man who beat a Mom and Pop business that has 5 kids out of thousands of dollars. They include GOP gubernatorial nominees Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania and Dan Cox in Maryland, who both organized buses for the Stop the Steal rally. Here is the entire draft filing he's going to hit them with. For example, I can be a real asshole in writing. Griffin deniedthe allegations claiming they were"frivolous and devoid of merit," court records state. News, Politics, Culture, and more in realtime. Any further details regarding Kourtnie have not been disclosed yet. Dont miss reporting and analysis from the Hill and the White House. For that official to attack a private citizen who is upset that the County Commissioner for his district is engaging in Fraud is troubling to say the least. Arrietaexplained that this case does not warrant a jury trial since the April 8 hearing was most likely to be the only hearing in the case and that a verdict was not to be administered and if a recall petition is successful and a recall election imminent, then the voters of Otero County's District 2 would be the jury. Griffin rejected prosecutors offer to plead to a lesser charge and serve probation. "The Committee to Recall Couy Griffin is very pleased that we have been found with probable cause, no less for all five of the allegations we presented.". Begging for donations for the trip, for legal fees, for tires, new wipers, food, etc. And while circumstances might make that difficult to replicate, its nonetheless a historic marker of what transpired 20 months ago. Derrick Evans, was sentenced to three months in jail this summer for committing civil disorder on Jan. 6. Griffins marching with the mob all the way to the inaugural stage, knowing the mobs insurrectionary purpose, likewise constitutes an overt act.. Jurors deliberated for more than nine hours before delivering the verdict. A Luna County man was arrested Monday for allegedly beating his older brother to death while he slept at their home outside of Deming. With all those donations Couy takes in you would think he would want to pay for the items his sheep give him. Griffin invoked free speech protections in declining to register and disclose donors to Cowboys for Trump, while expressing concern that financial contributors might be harassed. Another state lawmaker, then-West Virginia state Del. When local Republican Party Leadership will openly attack average (ie not running for office) citizens to silence their criticism of their elected official we have a HUGE problem inside that party. The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards. Couy Griffin is a white man from Tularosa, Otero County, New Mexico, United States. "Pretty soon, it was like a huge, amazing Trump rally," Griffin said. "Recall is intended to be difficult and it is intended to be a very serious matter,"Ivey-Soto said. The secretary of states office initially prevailed in a June 2020 arbitration decision that ordered Cowboys for Trump to register as a political committee, file expenditure and contribution reports and pay a fine of $7,800. Since early 2020, Griffin has resisted pressure to register the group as a political committee, including filing an unsuccessful petition with the 10th District Court of Appeals.