Two Santa Ynez Residents Arrested in Connection to January 6th Attack on Capitol

Robert and Karen Jones seen breaching the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021 [Photo: FBI]

A Santa Ynez couple has been arrested for their participation in the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Karen and Robert Jones are being charged with four federal offenses including entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

Karen Jones is ​a two-time candidate for county supervisor who currently serves as president of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Services District, is the founding president at the Santa Ynez Valley Opportunity Shop, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority (SYVAA).

She was was taken into custody on December 14 in Austin, Texas while her husband, Robert Jones, was arrested the same day in Los Angeles .

The Independent’s Tyler Hayden was the first to publish information on this story in 2022 along with photos of Karen and Robert Jones inside the U.S. Capitol as part of the pro-Trump insurrection to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s legitimate presidential election win.

Karen Jones (right) at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 [courtesy]
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Jones’ using cell phone information, closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance from inside the Capitol building, and opensource video footage, per the criminal complaint.

The couple flew from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. on January 5, 2021 and returned on January 8, 2021, according to the FBI.

The criminal complaint provided images showing Karen Jones on the east steps of the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection while participating in an “open mic” session.

“Hi, I’m Karen Jones. I’m from Calabasas, California – Home of the Reagan Ranch – and I’m very proud to be here. I was in the first wave up the stairs. I lucked out. Thank you to all the people who carried me in the crowd. Took a little pepper spray. I didn’t think I’d ever be sprayed by cops in my own country. I support the police, but I’d like everyone to please join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance,” said Jones.

According to the FBI complaint, both Karen and Robert Jones approached the U.S. Capitol from the east side and advanced with a larger crowd that breached the barriers into the building. They walked through the doors at 3:01 p.m. and entered the Rotunda Lobby.

Capitol Police entered and directed protesters to leave the restricted area, the Jones’ exited the Rotunda and remained in the Rotunda Lobby. At 3:28 p.m., they exited the building through the Upper East Side doorway, according to the complaint.

Karen and Robert Jones are being represented by local attorney Robert Sanger and are scheduled to virtually appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on January 2, 2024.

Edhat Staff

Written by Edhat Staff

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148 Comments

      • Wait, so I can show up at your house, break your windows, attack cops who show up to defend your property, take a shit on your living room floor, steal “souvenirs” from your office and that’s all protected by the 1st amendment? Cool.

        Why is it that so many trump cult members who claim to be patriots literally don’t understand their own rights under the constitution?

      • The First Amendment does not protect violent activity. Those engaged in riotous conduct – breaking windows, vandalizing the Capitol and its contents, assaulting officers, using bear spray, etc. – can’t invoke the First Amendment as a defense to these criminal acts.

  1. Sure glad these desperados are captured! What a disgusting sham! Granted, these local folks had NO business trespassing or entering the Capitol, even though they were encouraged to enter by DC Police. Yes, they should be punished. But these two were trying to overthrow the government?
    The article mentions “the deadly attack,” ya sure, you mean a police officer’s tragic death from an apparent heart attack? Or the death of an unarmed Airforce Veteran protester being shot and killed by DC Police for entering through a window?
    No, this was a setup from the get go! Pelosi allowed this to happen by having an inadequate Police presence. The Congressional investigation into J6 to follow, was nothing more than a Hollywood scripted con, perpetrated by liars.
    Now we see denying Trump to enter an election in Colorado, when he has NEVER been charged or convicted of
    insurrection!
    The reason? Because the Dems know they are going to lose the election!
    Do we see a rush to prosecute left wing Goon Squads who burned down our cities under the sham of racial justice? Oh, hell no!
    Folks, the modern Democratic Party is nothing more than a criminal enterprise and the tables are turning in November!
    Led by an 80 year old incompetent figurehead, Biden and his crime family may very well find himself in Orange! Let’s hope so, the evidence is mounting in his impeachment. As for Kamala, well I won’t even go there, other than to say, she is a disaster and the Dems know it!

  2. Karen and her husband should have just had sex in a Congressional office and then video taped it and sent it to their friends…OR brought in some Cocaine and partied in the Rotunda instead of simply going into a public building and carrying signs protesting.

  3. It truly is a bummer to see comments from neighbors that have lost touch with reality. I know these people exist, but it’s tough to think these are people I see every day and have interactions with. MAGA truly is a cult, their followers don’t think reality is real, facts aren’t facts, and only 1 guy holds the truth. All of these conspiracy theorists might very well qualify them to be admitted to mental health facilities against their will for their delusions, something they so often support for the homeless.

      • So are you saying Ashley Babbit and the horde should have been allowed to continue past that barrier so the hordes could assassinate elected officials? Which part of Jan 6 was peaceful? Taking dumps in the lobby? Attacking police officers with flag poles and fire extinguishers and bear spray was peaceful?

      • Violence during a riot against racist violence by the police is far different from violence during an attack on the Capitol based 100%, solely on LIES.

        The election was never “stolen.”

        Police violence and racism against the black community is well documented and has been happening for hundreds of years.

        It’s important to understand that very important distinction when “comparing” the 2 events.

      • Sure, some of those other riots had violence and that is against the law. Those caught were prosecuted, even the members of the extremist right wing groups who tried to blame their violence on BLM protestors. Sadly you are incorrect to think that protests centered around racial equity is the same as violence and threats attempting to overturn our fair elections and democracy.

  4. Outrageous that you all support destroying 1A. These people did nothing but show up to protest. The fact that in SB there are such people that do not support human rights is appalling. Who wants to join me in a protest for these people that are being politically charged?

    • Dude. These are federal charges caught on camera and with own self admission. They unlawfully breached the building. They were standing among a group of people who beat police officers while chanting USA. They’re being charged for what they did with a mountain of evidence: entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

    • “These people did nothing but show up to protest.” Actually, if you read the article, “both Karen and Robert Jones approached the U.S. Capitol from the east side and advanced with a larger crowd that breached the barriers into the building. They walked through the doors at 3:01 p.m. and entered the Rotunda Lobby. Capitol Police entered and directed protesters to leave the restricted area, the Jones’ exited the Rotunda and remained in the Rotunda Lobby. At 3:28 p.m., they exited the building through the Upper East Side doorway, according to the complaint.” Their first amendment rights ended when they joined the terrorist mob that broke barriers, assaulted police, and entered the building to disrupt a governmental proceeding.

      • I also want to add that she misrepresented herself as being from Calabases in a public speech therefore knew what she was doing was wrong. She also removed all her pro Trump propaganda banners and signs from her house right after. To me this means she and her husband knew what they did was illegal and attempted to not draw attention to themselves. But she found it perfectly okay to joke about her role in stand up while in Texas.

  5. ‘Deadly attack on the capitol’? Only person who was killed was Ashley Babbit’ an unarmed lady shot by Campus police’ The cop that died that night, at home, from a stroke’ had NO hematomas or contusions and the death was of from natural causes. Other than Ashley Babbit, there were zero fatalities. Stop the propaganda and please facts only. Thank you.

  6. These people stole their play book from ISIS. Both groups use violence to institute their beliefs.: God and religion should control government. The core values of ISIS and the radical right GOP are eerily similar: Children are forced to pray in public schools, 100% focused on wars against women’s rights, Fox News is owned by the Saudi Prince and Rupert Murdock (Al Reslah TV is owned by the Saudi Prince and Rupert Murdoch), political religious leaders are filthy rich, oppose sex education, contraceptives, and homosexuality.

  7. If you think comments here are bad, check out Facebook and Instagram. There are so many more cult members and conspiracy theories in our community than we think. I was scrolling through the instagram comments on this story and people have lost their minds and feel 100% comfortable touting conspiracies with their full names and photos attached. Plus, they’re aggressive and angry, rational minds have thought better than trying to combat their insanity. With that said, thankful for Edhat deleting the horrible comments.

  8. I never excused anything, just said it can’t really happen. You can discriminate or be prejudiced against whites, but not really racist against them. Racism is treating another race as inferior.

    You’re making stuff up again…. who’s “lost it” now?

    Dang, you’re off the hook tonight! Calm down, regroup and try to make some sense without lying.

  9. When the republicans suggest that Jan 6th was a moment for first amendment activities and taking a leisurely tour of the Capitol – remind them of the utter terror attacks these “law abiding citizens” spurned on law enforcement. “Trespassing” on the seat of government and trying to murder police and government officials is not sight seeing. The video is just a few moments (of many) caught on video – pure proof.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmtL27dqz6w

    Anyone supporting this is not an American. Seeing that the GOP supports the lie of a “stolen election” and supports the violence against the seat of government and its sworn officers – it has become evident that the GOP is the enemy of democracy and that this organization must be dealt with sooner rather than later.

  10. Occasionally, I find myself thinking that most of our folks here in Santa Barbara are somewhat enlightened. Then I am brought back to reality by reading a posting by a local Trump supporter who thinks that the Capital Insurrection was a deep-state plot. Spouting First and Fourth Amendment rights that were never the intention of the composers of our Constitution. I am worried that the Republican Party is promoting these ideas out of self-preservation since they know they cannot win a fair election. People just do not support the kind of religious conservatism that is the current Republican credo. Trump, if elected or by force when he loses AGAIN, will end our way of life and institute a Putin-style dictatorship. Be afraid.

    • Enlightened!?! You have the gal to say “Trump, if elected or by force when he loses AGAIN, will end our way of life and institute a Putin-style dictatorship” in the same comment you’re worried about other people promoting crazy ideas. You have absolutely totally lost your grasp on reality and are living in full blow propaganda land if you truly believe anything like that will happen. Holy cow… and people like you calling MAGA a cult are totally blind to their own cult.

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