Adam Kokesh, Gun Rights Activist, Arrested In Virginia After Loading Shotgun In D.C. Plaza (UPDATE)

Gun Rights Activist Arrested For Loading Shotgun In D.C. Plaza

UPDATED BELOW:

Police served a warrant at the Northern Virginia home of Adam Kokesh on Tuesday, arresting the libertarian gun rights activist and radio host in connection with a video released last week showing him loading shells into a shotgun in Washington, D.C.

(Watch the video above.)

According to a press release on Kokesh's website, officers with the Park Police, which had reportedly been investigating the filmed incident, and the Herndon County Police Department battering-rammed their way into Kokesh's house and used a flash grenade in the process of taking him into custody. CBS DC has video of the house after the raid.

NBC Washington reports that Kokesh has been charged with possession of a Schedule I or II drug and possession of a Schedule I or II drug while in possession of a firearm, though it's unknown whether police found the shotgun used in last week's video.

It is illegal to openly carry firearms in Washington, D.C., and Kokesh's display reportedly broke at least three separate laws. Kokesh said he was aware of the violations, and that the civil disobedience was his personal version of a larger armed rally that he had planned and later canceled this year.

Kokesh's defiant, law-breaking displays have led to a number of arrests in the past. He had already been arrested at least twice this year for his involvement in pro-marijuana rallies. In 2011, he was arrested at the Jefferson Memorial for dancing in protest of an ordinance that prohibits such demonstrations.

After spending the night in jail, Kokesh was scheduled to be arraigned on the latest charges Wednesday morning.

UPDATE: 2:30 p.m. -- The Washington Post reports on the nature of Kokesh's charges, which included possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms:

Charging documents filed in court Wednesday morning said Kokesh was charged with possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms, a Schedule I narcotic, while possessing a firearm. Possession of Schedule I or II drugs is a felony in Virginia, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $2,500 fine. If convicted of possession of the drugs while also in possession of a firearm, Kokesh would face an additional minimum of two years in prison.

According to an official in the Virginia county court, Kokesh refused to be fingerprinted or arraigned, or to speak with court officials on Wednesday. He's now set to be arraigned on Thursday morning.

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