Thermal, CA – Christina Kelso, a 46-year-old woman from Thermal, California, around 140 miles east of Los Angeles, is facing charges of obstruction and trespassing following her alleged participation in the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol. The charges against Kelso were announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a recent news release detailing her involvement.
According to the statement of facts, Kelso coordinated her trip to Washington through a Telegram messaging app group named “The California Patriots – DC Brigade” that arranged travel to the capital for former President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally. The Telegram group served as a platform for organizing individuals who were ready and willing to engage in the events of Jan. 6.
Kelso introduced herself to the Telegram group with a description of her varied skills, including self-defense training, Iyengar Yoga, and Modern Buddhism. She later expressed her readiness to participate in the group’s cause, stating that she was trained in peace and preparedness.