Judge rules Capitol rioter who tried to flee to Switzerland be jailed before trial

A man charged with allegedly beating police officers during the Capitol riot will be jailed before trial after he tried to flee to Switzerland, according to court documents obtained by CNN.

Jeffrey Sabol was dubbed a flight risk due to his previous escape attempt, Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled Wednesday. 

A day after the insurrection, Sabol returned to his Colorado home, where he attempted to cover any evidence that might incriminate him as he was “paranoid that he was going to be charged with sedition,” according to court documents.

He then flew from Colorado to Boston with the intention of flying to Switzerland, but ended up not boarding the plane. Instead, he drove south and was taken into custody in New York on Jan. 15, where he’s remained since, court documents state.

“He has the financial wherewithal to flee these charges,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Gianforti said during Sabol’s arraignment.

Sabol was charged with eight misdemeanor and felony offenses over his participation in the riot, during which he assaulted officers. 

“Mr. Sabol believed that ‘there was no question’ that the 2020 Presidential Election was ‘stolen,'” reads the criminal complaint against him.

The complaint also notes that Sabol’s cellphone records showed him being at the Capitol at the time of the insurrection.

Sabol has yet to enter a plea, according to CNN.