The FBI has arrested Lee Giobbie, a 40-year-old financial adviser from Eastampton, New Jersey, for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Identified by online ‘sedition hunters’ through facial recognition and Facebook photos, Giobbie faces federal charges, including felony charges of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding.
Capitol Riot Suspect Giobbie Arrested
Giobbie allegedly played an active role in breaching the Capitol barricades, yelling commands through a bullhorn and pushing through police lines, as captured in open-source videos.
The FBI claims he was one of the first rioters to enter, aggressively pushing through the Rotunda Door while police attempted to defend it. Inside the Capitol, he reportedly pushed against a police shield during the chaos.
Online sleuths reported Giobbie to the FBI in 2022, providing information that led to his identification and subsequent arrest in 2023.
The sleuths discovered a 2020 family photo from a pumpkin patch trip in which Giobbie wore the same Philadelphia Eagles beanie he had on during the Capitol riot. Facial recognition aided by a small facial marking on Giobbie’s right cheek further confirmed his identity.
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Online Sleuths Aid Identification
The throwback Philadelphia Eagles beanie worn by Giobbie featured the team’s late 1980s to 1996 logo, which has become popular among fans. The FBI’s use of facial recognition and the collaboration with online sleuths have been instrumental in identifying and arresting individuals involved in the Capitol attack.
Giobbie’s case highlights the broader phenomenon of rioters displaying sports team gear during the Capitol assault. Several individuals wore items representing various teams, such as Boston sports teams, Washington Capitols, New York Yankees, Georgia Bulldogs, and Detroit Red Wings.
The FBI has made approximately 1,250 arrests related to the Capitol attack, with around 900 individuals pleading guilty. Online “sedition hunters” continue to uncover information on additional rioters who remain unarrested.
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