Jake Lang Arrested in Dallas on Charge of Making Terroristic Threats

Jake Lang, a far-right influencer previously pardoned by President Trump for his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, was arrested in Dallas, Texas, on a charge of making terroristic threats. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the 31-year-old was taken into custody after disembarking from a flight on Tuesday. Lang faces a third-degree felony charge and is currently held in Dallas County Jail.

Lang’s arrest follows incidents where he was seen outside the Collin County courthouse during the murder trial of teen Karmelo Anthony. Anthony was found guilty on Tuesday of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a track meet in Frisco, Texas, and received a 35-year prison sentence. Reports surfaced that Lang allegedly threatened to shoot Anthony if he was not convicted.

A social media video allegedly featuring Lang, claiming to be calling from jail, stated, “They’ve arrested me for a felony, what’s called terroristic threats, simply because I said that if the jury did not find Karmelo Anthony guilty, that we the people will deal with justice.” Lang described the situation as an act of lawfare against his First Amendment rights. He disclosed that his bail was set at $1 million. Efforts by CBS News to reach Lang’s legal team were unsuccessful.

Lang’s legal issues continue to mount after his presidential pardon. Last week, he faced a trespassing charge in Frisco, Texas, and was previously arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota, for alleged vandalism of a sculpture at the Minnesota Capitol. His trial for the Minnesota case is set for next month.

Lang was initially indicted in 2021 on 11 counts related to the Capitol riot, including charges of assault on an officer. After the pardon by Mr. Trump, Lang remains active in public protests.

Andrew Anthony, Karmelo Anthony’s father, expressed some relief at Lang’s arrest but acknowledged ongoing challenges. The family continues to face racially charged threats since Karmelo’s conviction. They maintain that Anthony acted in self-defense in the deadly encounter. Throughout the trial, protests occurred daily, with supporters and opponents of Karmelo Anthony present at the courthouse.

Following the stabbing, Lang organized a protest in support of Metcalf, using an image of Metcalf accompanied by the message “Protect White Americans.” Jeff Metcalf, father of the victim, has urged the public to avoid using his son’s death to incite racial division, emphasizing forgiveness toward Anthony.