A military veteran charged with attacking police officers with a baton during a mob's January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol was ordered released from custody on Tuesday, a day after his arrest. A federal prosecutor had argued for the pretrial detention of Edward Richmond Jr, a former US Army soldier who was convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting a handcuffed civilian in Iraq approximately two decades ago.

Assistant US Attorney Lyman Thornton III said authorities found an AR-15 rifle and ammunition when they searched Richmond's Louisiana home this week. Richmond was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his criminal history, the prosecutor said. Thornton said Richmond poses a flight risk, is a threat to the community and has a history of violence, including a 'very aggressive posture toward law enforcement.' 'I think January 6 was a culmination of deep-seated anger toward law enforcement,' Thornton said.