Illinois pastor Stephen Lee surrendered at the Fulton County Jail one hour before the noon deadline. He was the last of Trump’s co-defendants to do so. Lee was released on a $75,000 bond. The charges against him include violating Georgia’s RICO Act, influencing witnesses, conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings, and two counts of criminal attempt to commit influencing witnesses.
Lee, along with co-defendants Harrison Floyd and Trevian Kutti, was charged in connection with the intimidation of Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman. Lee paid a surprise visit to Freeman’s home in mid-December 2020. In police body cam footage, Lee is heard acknowledging he had knocked on Freeman’s door and offered to provide “pro bono service” to her.
He allegedly asked Floyd to arrange a meeting with Freeman to discuss an “immunity deal” in exchange for a false admission of committing election fraud.
Lee’s attorney, David Shestokas, said Lee is an American hero, not a criminal. He said Lee worked as a chaplain through a series of tragedies, including 9/11/01 and Hurricane Katrina. “You have a pastor being indicted for knocking on a door,” Shestokas added.
Lee is charged the same as co-defendants Harrison Floyd and Trevian Kutti. Kutti is the former publicist of Kanye West. She was released from the Fulton County Jail after being booked on Friday morning. Her bond is $75,000.
Harrison William Prescott Floyd is the only co-defendant to remain in custody at the jail. He was active with the group Black Voices for Trump. He was denied bond on Friday. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Emily Richardson determined Floyd is a flight risk and at risk of committing additional criminal felonies if released on bail. The judge said his bond “will be addressed” but full consideration falls with Georgia Judge Scott McAfee. He surrendered Thursday and has been held in custody since then.
Floyd, a U.S. Marine veteran, was charged with violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as well as influencing a witness and conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements.
Floyd also told Richardson on Friday that he can’t afford a private attorney, and that he should not be considered a flight risk, arguing that he “voluntarily” surrendered, adding: “There is no way I’m a flight risk; I showed up here before the president was here.”
He requested a public defender but has been denied one. He told the judge that it would cost between $40,000 and $100,000 to get an attorney to take his case and he doesn’t have that kind of money.
He is being denied bond because of a previous arrest in Maryland earlier this year for assaulting an FBI agent. The FBI agent was serving him with a subpoena in the DOJ’s investigation into Trump’s actions after the 2020 election. Floyd said he does not have a criminal record. The assault charge is a misdemeanor, not a felony.
Floyd, a former suburban Atlanta congressional candidate, allegedly put co-defendant Trevian Kutti in touch with Fulton elections worker Ruby Freeman. Kutti and Floyd spoke to Freeman at length, pressuring her to “reveal information under the threat of incarceration if she did not comply.” It was not clear how his Fulton case would proceed.
There is no word yet of when Judge McAfee will rule on Floyd’s bond.
Friday, Joe Biden was asked by the roving White House press if he saw Trump’s mugshot. He was full of snark in his answer.
“I did see it on television,” the incumbent responded to a question from a White House reporter who asked if he’s seen his past and likely future rival’s mugshot after being arrested in Georgia yesterday on election interference. “Handsome guy, wonderful guy,” Biden added with open mockery of Trump, whom he has long openly despised.
Of course, he saw it. He was as excited as any other Democrat to see it. The press could have asked him about anything but chose to ask that one question before Biden shuffled off. Biden’s vacation continues today.
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