A Virginia man accused of planting pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters on january 5, 2021, made an initial court appearance Friday, December 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Federal prosecutors allege Julius St. Jules, 66, of Leesburg, Virginia, strategically placed the devices the evening before the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The case resurfaces as the nation continues to grapple with the fallout from the January 6th insurrection and the ongoing investigations into those involved in planning and executing the events surrounding it. St.Jules’s alleged actions represent a separate, pre-planned component of the broader effort to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, raising questions about the extent of coordinated activity leading up to the Capitol breach. His prosecution underscores the Justice Department’s continued commitment to holding accountable individuals involved in the events of that period.
According to court documents, St. Jules is charged with placing an explosive device near the Democratic National Committee headquarters and another near the Republican National committee headquarters. The devices where discovered on January 6, 2021, by a member of the public and a bomb technician, respectively. Both contained components capable of detonating, though neither exploded.
Prosecutors revealed in court that St. Jules was identified through forensic analysis of the bomb components and subsequent investigative work, including surveillance footage. The inquiry reportedly involved matching St. Jules to items purchased in the weeks leading up to the incident. Details regarding a potential motive were not immediately disclosed.
St. Jules’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A detention hearing is scheduled for December 9, 2024, where a judge will determine whether he will be held pending trial. If convicted, St. Jules faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each charge.
