J6 prosecutor gets bail after stabbing rampage
A US attorney known for his harsh prosecution of January 6th attendees was arrested Tuesday after stabbing a driver in a fit of rage and attempting to stab two others.
When he was first appointed to the US Attorney’s Office ten years ago, Patrick Scruggs was assigned to the Narcotics Section in Tampa. Recently, however, he was assigned to cases brought against Americans who were at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021.
On Tuesday Scruggs allegedly stabbed a man repeatedly with a pocketknife after breaking his window. A man and his wife attempted to intervene but were nearly stabbed by Scruggs as well. Highway Patrol arrived and arrested Scruggs, who was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and armed burglary. He was released on $65,000 bail without restrictions.
But January 6th defendants who have found themselves targeted by Scruggs have not been as fortunate. Some have been denied bail entirely, while others — such as Adam “The Lectern Guy” Johnson — have faced excessive restrictions while released on bail.
Johnson was arrested after a photo was taken of him in the Capitol carrying a podium belonging to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and waving to the camera. Though he had not caused any damage, Scruggs asked US Magistrate Judge Christopher Tuite to authorize a slew of restrictions against Johnson, including a nightly curfew and ankle monitor.
“My crimes were so egregious that he demanded I wear an ankle monitor, be drugged tested at random, surrender my passports, be restricted to middle district of Florida, and given a nightly curfew,” Johnson wrote Wednesday. “What restrictions do you think he should get for stabbing a man repeatedly in public?”
The contrast between Scruggs’ remand and that of his January 6th targets prompted even Newsweek to comment on the disparity.
“Alleged U.S. Capitol rioters weren't granted the same liberty as Scruggs, as some were held without bail as they awaited their trials,” Newsweek reported. “Most rioters who were arrested received some form of bail, but those who engaged in the most ‘violent acts’ were detained without bond. . .”
