Rep. Troy E. Nehls Receives Commitment from USMS Director to Release the Footage of J6 Detainee Ronald “Colton” McAbee
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) demanded Ronald Davis, the Director of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), call on the Washington D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC) to release the body-worn camera video footage of one of his January 6 detainees, who was sprayed with chemicals for reportedly removing his COVID-19 mask to take medication.
On September 5, 2022, at approximately 11:45 a.m. (ET), an incident occurred between USMS detainee, Ronald “Colton” McAbee, and Lieutenant Crystal Lancaster at the D.C. DOC, where several January 6 detainees are being held. According to reports received by Congressman Nehls, Mr. McAbee was in the process of receiving his medication, which requires him to remove his COVID-19 facemask and prove he has consumed the medication. Based on numerous reports, Lieutenant Lancaster aggressively approached Mr. McAbee and began yelling at him. Lieutenant Lancaster then reportedly deployed her handheld chemical munitions directly into Mr. McAbee’s face at close range. Reports indicate that Lieutenant Lancaster intentionally used these chemical agents, several times against Mr. McAbee, without any provocation on his part. Should Lieutenant Lancaster have applied the Use of Force improperly, it would be a severe violation of Mr. McAbee’s civil rights.
Congressman Nehls had the opportunity to visit the January 6 detainees at the D.C. DOC in January 2023, where he was initially told by D.C. DOC Director Thomas Faust that Lieutenant Lancaster’s body-worn camera video footage existed and would be made available to him. Following the visit, Congressman Nehls submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to USMS and the D.C. DOC requesting this body-worn camera video footage be released. USMS responded that the D.C. DOC maintained the footage, not the USMS. However, the D.C. DOC eventually denied the initial FOIA request and appeal.
During today’s House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance hearing titled, “Oversight of the United States Marshals Service,” Congressman Nehls questioned Director Davis about his knowledge of the incident involving Mr. McAbee and Lieutenant Lancaster. While Director Davis testified he was not aware of the situation and had not reviewed the body-worn camera video footage, he stated that he “share [Congressman Nehls’] priority to make sure that those that are in our custody are treated humanely and within federal standards, and, if there is misconduct, we are committed to investigating all allegations of misconduct.” Director Davis also testified that he will commit his team to working with Congressman Nehls and his staff to meet the request for the body-worn camera video footage.
“I want to thank Director Davis for his law enforcement service and his commitment to working with me and my team to uncover not only this footage, but more facts regarding the incident between Mr. McAbee and Lieutenant Lancaster,” said Congressman Nehls. “Every detainee, including those involved with the events that occurred on January 6, deserves to be treated humanely and receive due process. It is my mission to uncover this footage for Mr. McAbee and his family, who have received no support from the D.C. DOC following this incident. Bad news doesn’t get better with time, and we must get to the bottom of what truly happened that day.”