Court proceedings are about to begin for Cleveland Grover Meredith, Jr., whom prosecutors say texted "War time" on the day of the insurrection after receiving a message "Pence blew it."

I'll cover it live, @LawCrimeNews.

Previously, via @AlbertoLuperon https://lawandcrime.com/2020-election/man-who-allegedly-wanted-to-shoot-pelosi-also-hoped-fbi-was-reading-text-message-prosecutors/

This is what prosecutors say authorities found in Meredith's vehicle at the time of his arrest, in a brief seeking his continued pre-trial lockup.

There is a delay in the proceedings owing to the defendant to participate in the hearing from jail.

Stand by.

Judge Harvey calls the case.

AUSA Ahmed Baset argues for the United States.

Defense counsel is Ubong Akpan.

Prosecutor Baset is up first for the government.

He begins by arguing that interstate threats are a crime of violence, warranting continuing detention.

Some of those threats flagged in my colleague @AlbertoLuperon's recent coverage of the case. https://lawandcrime.com/2020-election/man-who-allegedly-wanted-to-shoot-pelosi-also-hoped-fbi-was-reading-text-message-prosecutors/

Judge Harvey indicates that he intends to rule in the government's favor in keeping Cleveland Meredith detained before trial.

Prosecutor:

Meredith drove from Colorado to D.C. "to participate in a violent insurrection" on Jan. 6, which he called one of the most "hellish" days in the history of our nation's capitol.

Prosecutor Baset:

Meredith wanted to use "armor piercing bullets," and it "just so happened" that this ammunition was found in his truck.

"Clearly this is someone who relished in the carnage," Baset said. "He relished, even after seeing what had happened."

Prosecutor Baset warns that releasing Meredith "is not a risk we can take in terms of danger to the community."

Harvey describes the "oddity" of the case being that Meredith did not participate in the insurrection.

The magistrate asks why.

Prosecutor: "His car malfunctioned, and he got here late."

Prosecutor:

"The texts speak for themselves."

"Frankly, the evidence that was recovered from his trailer further substantiates his mindset."

Govt exhibit

Prosecutor:

"He acknowledged drug use, even on the night of his offense."

Over the course of 24 hours in the city, Meredith assaulted a resident out of a "road rage issue" and called someone the N-word, the prosecutor adds.

Prosecutor:

Meredith is someone we believe is "under the spell" of the QAnon "extremist," "conspiracy," "ideological movement."

Meredith's federal defender Akpan says he has two children.

Akpan claims that her client intended his text messages to be a "joke."

Akpan characterizes her client as a 53-year-old, churchgoing divorced man with two sons.

A Pre-Trial Services representative says:

There is no combination of conditions that would ensure the safety of the community.

Prosecutor Baset calls it nonsense that he made the remarks in jest.

Asked by the FBI about whether his threats were serious or a joke, Meredith replied: "It's a little of both," Baset said.

Harvey: I am going to grant the govt's request and order that Mr. Meredith be detained pending trial.