Facebook frenzy erupts after PCSO asks public for help finding Jan. 6 Capitol riot suspect
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has more than a third of a million followers of its Facebook page, and the agency regularly posts seeking public help in finding suspects, either those sought for local crimes or as an assist to another law-enforcement agency.
Such posts typically receive mostly positive responses along the lines of, “Go get ‘em, Grady,” in reference to Sheriff Grady Judd.
The response was different Friday when the PCSO posted about Jonathan Pollock, a North Lakeland resident facing multiple charges in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Federal authorities say he assaulted three police officers during the riot. The Sheriff's Office post said the FBI had requested that the agency spread information about Pollock, 21, who hadn’t yet been found and arrested as of Friday.
Pollock’s sister, Olivia Pollock, and three friends have already been arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including assaulting officers.
Olivia Pollock's arrest: North Lakeland woman is third Polk County resident charged in Jan. 6 Capitol riot
The post went up in late morning and by the late afternoon had drawn nearly 2,500 comments. The overwhelming majority were negative, with many criticizing the FBI, dismissing the Jan. 6 insurrection as a peaceful protest or even suggesting that Pollock deserves praise and should be aided in eluding arrest.
“Pray they nerver (never) find him,” commented Lynn Olson of Auburndale.
“I won’t share this for nothing!” wrote Andrew Ciresi, whose location could not be determined. “Matter of fact I would hide him as if he was a Jew in the 1930s!!”
Jan. 6 remains a political flashpoint
Facebook comments, of course, do not represent a scientific survey. And it cannot be inferred that 80% or more of Polk County residents oppose arresting Pollock. (Many followers of the PCSO live outside the county.)
But the comments show that the Jan. 6 riot has become thoroughly politicized and that many who normally express support for law enforcement condemn the FBI and dismiss official and media accounts of what happened that day, despite the trove of video and photo evidence showing supporters of former President Donald Trump clashing with officers protecting the Capitol.
The Sheriff’s Office’s post included photos, some taken from the FBI’s arrest affidavit, showing Pollock in tactical gear at the Capitol. The post also shared a link to a news release from the Department of Justice detailing Pollock’s alleged crimes.
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“According to the FBI, Pollock ‘assaulted three police officers, pulling one down a set of steps, kneeing and punching another in the face, and punching and pushing a third by the neck,’” the post said. It shared contact information for sharing tips with the FBI (800-225-5324 or tips.fbi.gov).
Many commenters said they usually support the Sheriff’s Office but disagreed with the pursuit of Pollock. (Locations are included for those who list them in their Facebook profiles.)
• “FIRST POST I CANT AGREE WITH,” wrote Matt Solomon. “I pray you never find him. And if you continue to push the lefts agenda we will simply vote you out of office.”
• “Ain't helping you find anybody from the peaceful protest from January,” wrote Bryan Batton. “And unless you've seen the footage and can clearly tell who it is, you shouldn't either.”
• “Just stop with this crap,” wrote Julie Nixon. “Nobody's helping y'all find these people. How about y'all go arrested actual criminals like pedophiles.”
• John Bolton of Lakeland used a familiar phrase to discourage assistance in Pollock’s arrest: "Snitches get stitches in this case,” Bolton wrote.
• “Good luck getting Polk County to turn on this guy,” added Lauren Schwarz.
• Jake Tebo wrote: “If he was living with me I wouldn’t say.”
'Don't you have something better to do'
Though more negative comments were directed at the FBI for its pursuit of Pollock, a significant number criticized the Sheriff’s Office or Judd by name for assisting the agency.
“Shame on you Grady,” was the comment from an account attributed to Connie N Aaron Holmes of Auburndale.
“Grady, don't you have something better to do,” wrote Mark Richards of Cape Coral. “Don't go woke on us!”
Many of those commenting dismissed the FBI’s allegations against Pollock through comparisons — either to the rioting and unrest that occurred in some cities last summer amid racial justice protests following George Floyd’s death or to the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt during the attack on the Capitol.
Babbitt was among a group of rioters who broke into the Capitol and were attempting to enter a corridor just outside the House chamber. A U.S. Capitol Police officer shot Babbitt as she tried to scale a door while others beat against its glass panes.
“Shouldn’t they be looking into who shot Ashley Babbitt,” commented Janice Kane. “Prioritize.”
The Department of Justice determined that the shooting was justified.
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Kevin Mullen of Lakeland offered a comment typical of many responses to the Sheriff’s Office’s post.
“What about all the violence, rioting, looting, burning that happened but that's okay because nobody is wanted for that,” Mullen wrote.
“Are they looking for all the rioters that burned down people’s businesses and stole everything they could?” added Kenny Devane of Fort Meade. “No they’re not!”
Law-enforcement officers made many arrests in Portland and other cities after violence erupted during last year’s demonstrations.
Comments made it clear that suspicion of the FBI, a frequent target of Trump’s attacks, is widespread.
“Are you serious,” wrote Martha McCall Henderson in response another comment. “I doubt this man did anything. The FBI is working hard to help the democrats cheat … face it.”
“The FBI lies a lot,” wrote Jennaca Combs. “Wouldn’t be surprised if they are lying about this guy.”
'Show us the evidence'
Others asked if the FBI or the Sheriff’s Office has evidence to support the charges against Pollock.
“You wanna show us evidence of this alleged assault of three police officers?” wrote Dylan Hazlewood of South Carolina. “Otherwise, we ain't helping you round up more political prisoners to be held without bail in solitary confinement without access to their attorney for months on end over something the cabal up there knew was coming but then allowed (and from some points of view, even encouraged) to happen for political points.”
The Department of Justice released a 53-page arrest affidavit containing many photos taken from police officers' body cameras during the riot. It includes several of a man identified as Jonathan Pollock grappling with police officers.
The FBI agent who submitted the affidavit said Pollock and other suspects were identified through driver's license and other photos and by people who knew them. It doesn’t appear that the agency has released video of Pollock allegedly assaulting officers.
The responses included quite a few statements of conspiracy theories suggesting the Jan. 6 attack was actually orchestrated by government officials and not carried out by Trump supporters. Many made reference to Antifa, a loose collection of far-left groups, though the vast majority of the more than 500 arrested so far — including Olivia Pollock and the other local residents — have been identified as Trump supporters.
“I can't believe people are buying into to this fake insurrection,” wrote Michelle Hagan of Kissimmee. “There is a reason they will not release the video footage. The whole thing was a set-up by (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi, (Sen. Chuck) Schumer and the FBl.”
“Riot? You mean when they opened the doors and watched everyone enter?” wrote Kristy Stan of Sarasota.
'I'll buy him a beer'
Other comments suggested sympathy and even admiration for Pollock.
“Seems like a hero!” wrote JP Pineiro.
“Looks like you should give him a medal rather then (than) arrest him,” wrote John Ross.
Wes Barnes of Texas declared: “I’ll buy him a beer.”
Not all of those responding to the post expressed support for Pollock.
“Reading these comments I have to say, most of you pick and choose what to be angry about when it comes to law enforcement being harmed,” wrote Marshall Welch of Tampa. “You can’t support law enforcement one moment and then be okay with officers getting hurt at the capitol because you agreed with the riot for whatever reason.”
“He’s guilty of treason,” added Ann Sonis. “Hope they find him.”
A spokeswoman for the FBI’s Tampa office could not be reached Friday. Carrie Horstman, a spokeswoman for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, said it is not unusual to see negative reactions to posts on the agency’s Facebook page.
“We were asked by the FBI to post that they’re looking for a fugitive with a warrant in our county, just as we get asked by other law enforcement agencies (most recently, a homicide suspect from Highlands County),” Horstman said by email. “We’ve never had a post that didn’t generate negative comments — people have differing opinions, and they often express them.”
Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Capitol riot: PCSO's request for help finding suspect draws angry comments
