Mercer Co. woman charged in connection with Capitol attack
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A Mercer County woman is being held in the Butler County Prison on charges filed in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
FBI agents were in Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania Thursday searching the home of 40-year-old Rachel Powell.
According to an affidavit, during national news coverage of the capitol riot, video footage showed a woman in a pink hat, a black jacket with a fur-lined hoodie using a bullhorn telling others how to gain control of the Capitol.
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Investigators say they later identified the woman as Powell.
Once inside, the affidavit says Powell was seen using the bullhorn to give instructions about the layout of the building and instructing others on how to "take this building".
She also noted that they “have another window to break," according to the affidavit.
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Investigators say Powell and another person were seen using a large pole to break a window, then climbing through the window.
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The affidavit also says video shows Powell entering the Capitol through the West Lower Terrace Exterior Door along with a large number of people who forced Law Enforcement to retreat towards the inside of the building.
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The FBI says after it received a tip identifying Powell as the woman in the pink hat, they subpoenaed her Facebook account to compare pictures and verify her phone number.
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Investigators also cited a New Yorker online interview with Powell in which she is alleged to have told a reporter, “Listen,
if somebody doesn’t help and direct people, then do more people die?” and “That’s all I’m going
to say about that. I can’t say anymore. I need to talk to an attorney.”
FBI agents searched Powell's Sandy Lake home Thursday as part of the investigation.
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Powell faces charges in U.S. District Court in Washington, DC including obstruction, depredation of government property, violent entry and taking a dangerous weapon onto restricted property.
She is being held in the Butler County Prison.