A man already facing charges linked to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack has now been convicted for showing up at former President Barack Obama’s Washington, D.C., home with guns and materials for an explosive. What sealed the verdict? His own 90-minute livestream.

During a weeklong bench trial, 39-year-old Taylor Taranto was found guilty on all counts by U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols, who was appointed by Donald Trump. Nichols cited the livestream as the key evidence, calling it the work of “an unbalanced narrator willing to follow through on outlandish claims,” WUSA reported.

Prosecutors claimed Taranto broadcasted the video on his public YouTube channel before his arrest. In it, he reportedly made disturbing comments about “entrance points” he had control over near the Obama residence.

Taranto was seen walking through a restricted area under Secret Service surveillance, discussing “tunnels underneath their houses” and repeatedly talking about getting a “shot” or a “good angle on a shot,” according to court records.

“He has a weird sense of humor,” said his lawyer, Carmen Hernandez, on Tuesday.

“He’s a little bit quirky,” she added.

Taranto, a Washington state native, was arrested June 29, 2023, on a fugitive warrant after being caught near the Obama home in the Kalorama neighborhood. Secret Service agents chased him away when he ran toward the property. He was arrested hours later while hiding in nearby woods.

Authorities found weapons in a van Taranto had parked nearby — including firearms, ammunition, and materials that could be used to make a Molotov cocktail. Taranto, a U.S. Navy veteran and Seattle native, had been in D.C. for months, reportedly threatening lawmakers.

He faced charges for unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm — a Scorpion CS short-barreled rifle — as well as unlawful possession of ammunition and carrying a Scorpion CZ pistol without a license. He was also charged with making false information and hoaxes.

The hoax charge stemmed from a false bomb threat Taranto allegedly made about the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland before his arrest.

In connection with Jan. 6, Taranto faced multiple counts for entering restricted areas, disorderly conduct, and parading inside the Capitol. Those charges were dropped after Trump took office.

His lawyers, Hernandez and Pleasant Brodnax III, tried to get the gun and threat-related charges dismissed. They argued his livestreams were protected under the First Amendment and described his dark humor as a result of his military service.

“I think it helped him survive Iraq,” Hernandez claimed. She compared his videos to Orson Welles’ “The War of the Worlds” broadcast that once caused panic among listeners.

Brodnax argued Taranto never had a real detonator or actual bomb materials. He and Hernandez described his videos as a “rambling dissertation of thoughts,” not a plot to kill anyone.

Judge Nichols, however, disagreed. He said any reasonable viewer would interpret Taranto’s stream as serious. The judge noted how Taranto talked about installing self-driving “firmware” in the van, which prosecutors highlighted as part of a plan to create a bomb vehicle.

“Orson Welles was talking about an invasion by interplanetary forces,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel White. “Martians invading parts of the United States. Improbable even at the time Orson Welles said it.”

“Far more probable in 2023 is a vehicle being converted into a bomb and driven into a federal building,” White argued.

Although Taranto was convicted, Nichols postponed sentencing after his legal team said they would file a motion for his release, noting his nearly two-year detention. He could still face up to five more years, according to WUSA.

“I recognize Mr. Taranto has been detained on coming up on 23 months now,” Nichols said. “He doesn’t have a criminal history. I would like you to get that motion in and I will act on it very quickly.”

The defense submitted the motion Wednesday, stating Taranto had already served 22 months and 22 days. With good-time credit of 54 days per year, his time served would total nearly 27 months.

“Even assuming a worst-case scenario were the court to apply a specific offense characteristic and reject the downward adjustments noted above, Mr. Taranto is still not facing any additional recommended term of imprisonment,” the motion stated. It also emphasized that this is Taranto’s first conviction, that he didn’t engage in violence or property damage, and that he has a strong family support system.

“He has been married for more than 15 years to a wonderful woman, who has stood by him during all the current difficulties and stands ready to continue her loving support. He is a loving and engaged father. His two children need their father,” the motion concluded.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.