Racial Remarks from Staff
Documented racial remarks made by detention staff.
Full write-up pending. Cross-referenced documents will appear here.
Officials named in the evidence
29 people named
Tap any name to see their case page and every document where they appear.
C-2B pod, DC DOC
- Billy Chrestman· J6 co-defendant / Sibick witness
- Bryan Mock· J6 detainee / OC spray target
- Dan Caldwell· J6 detainee / OC spray victim
- Jeffrey McKellop· J6 co-defendant / 70% disabled veteran
- Jon Mellis· J6 co-defendant / Sibick witness
- Kash Kelly· J6 co-defendant / Sibick witness
- Kelly Meggs· J6 co-defendant / Sibick witness
- Lonnie Coffman· J6 detainee / OC spray victim
- Nathaniel DeGrave· J6 co-defendant / Sibick witness
- Ronnie Sandlin· J6 co-defendant / Sibick witness
- Scott Fairlamb· J6 co-defendant / Sibick witness
- Thomas Sibick· Fellow J6 detainee (subject of misconduct allegations)
- Tim Hale· J6 co-defendant / Sibick witness
DC DOC
- Beth Jordan· Grievance Manager
- Cpl. Dandy· Corporal
- Cpl. Pinkney· Corporal
- Doug Jensen· J6 co-defendant / witness
- Lt. Moore· Detention Lieutenant
- Major Sheila Marr· Detention Major
- Officer J. Johnson· Detention Officer
- Peter Schwartz· J6 co-defendant / witness
- Sgt. Shawn Franklin· Detention Sergeant
- T. Campbell· Grievance Manager
Eastern District of California Federal Defender (Sacramento)
Executive Branch
Federal Public Defender (DC)
Evidence on file
40 documents on file
Every page below is a watermarked scan from Ryan's own case file. Click any one to read it, share it, or copy the link.
Ryan20 documents
Ryan Nichols' own paperwork — grievances, motions, letters, cell notes.
grievance_form · Dec 27, 2023
DC DOC Mail Disposition page 2 - pamphlet denied for advocating hatred
DC DOC Notice of Disposition of Mail page 2 of 2 (PP 4070.4 Attachment B) censoring pamphlet citing Policy 4070.44 page 19 Section C subsection 6 for appearing to advocate racial, religious, or national hatred.
grievance_form · Aug 30, 2022
IGP Formal Grievance 8/30/22: phones turned off and tablet taken
DC DOC Inmate Formal Grievance Form (Step 2) by Ryan Nichols 376795 C2B dated 8/30/22. Escalates 8/8/22 informal grievance about phones turned off and tablet taken which was never responded to. Calls it racial discrimination, retaliation, punishment. Witnessed by Jordan Mink 377189.
letter · Jun 21, 2022
Character letter for Chris from Abraham B. (#00051578) 6/21/22
Handwritten character reference dated 6/21/22 from Black inmate Abraham B. (#00051578) attesting that Chris (likely Chris Worrell) is not racist, is a cool person, and a great guy who helped him with food and phone.
grievance_form · May 20, 2022
Step 3 Warden Appeal: Officer J. Johnson racially discriminatory C2B 11/17
DC DOC Step 3 Wardens Administrative Remedy Form (PP 4030.1, Attachment F) by Ryan Nichols dated 5/20/22, escalating an Officer J. Johnson incident in C2B on 11/17/22 (likely typo for 11/17/21) where Ryan was racially discriminated against. Per context: this is the Officer Johnson grievance IGP filing. Wardens response section blank (inmate copy).
grievance_form · May 20, 2022
Step 3 Warden Appeal: Sep 18, 2021 ERT racial incident - IGP #20220527-613
DC DOC Step 3 Wardens Administrative Remedy Form (PP 4030.1, IGP # 20220527-613) by Ryan Nichols dated 5/20/22, escalating Sep 18, 2021 incident where 30+ ERT members woke them up and moved them to another pod; racial incident in pod between ERT member and inmates. Wardens Response 5/27/22: Non-grievable, see attached.
grievance_form · May 20, 2022
Step 3 Warden Appeal IGP #20220527-604: Officer J. Johnson Group Grievance denial
DC DOC Step 3 Wardens Administrative Remedy Form (IGP # 20220527-604) by Ryan Nichols dated 5/20/22, escalating Officer J. Johnson C2B racial discrimination incident from 11/17/22 (typo for 2021), which was previously denied as a Group Grievance. Wardens Response 5/27/22: NON-grievable - See attached.
grievance_form · Mar 28, 2022
Stamped IGP 20220328-491 — US Marshals grievance, marked Non-Grievable by Plant Mgr
White stamped Mar 28 2022 copy of Nichols 3/19/22 informal grievance (IGP # 20220328-491) — content matches j6s14-012 (US Marshals Anderson/Bickham confirming DC DOC IGP process is broken). DOC response: Non-grievable. Department: PLM (Plant Manager). IGP Coordinator signature dated 3/28/22.
grievance_form · Mar 19, 2022
Grievance 3/19/22 — US Marshals (Anderson, Bickham) confirm DC DOC IGP process is broken
DC DOC Informal Resolution Complaint by Nichols dated 3/19/22 documenting that on 3/18/22 US Marshals Mr. Anderson and Mr. Marvin T. Bickham visited Pod C2B and informed inmates that the DC DOC grievance process was broken, along with the Internal Affairs report showing the same. Nichols states he has filed many grievances by paper and electronically that have been ignored or covered up — including grievances about racist language used against himself and other inmates, abusive behavior, discrimination, and conditions of confinement. As a veteran diagnosed with PTSD, demands accountability of IGP staff according to policy.
grievance_form · Nov 17, 2021
Informal Grievance Form #135251 (IGP #22111223-848) Officer J. Johnson racial discrimination (11/17/21)
Typed Informal Grievance Form Response ID 135251 / IGP #22111223-848 submitted by Ryan Nichols 11/17/2021 02:43 PM detailing racial discrimination, intimidation and verbal abuse by Officer J. Johnson on C-2B pod. Stamped RECEIVED Nov 18 2021.
grievance_form · Nov 17, 2021
IGP Informal Resolution Complaint vs Officer J. Johnson (11/17/21)
DC DOC PP 4030.1 Inmate Informal Resolution Complaint Form filed by Ryan Nichols (DCDC #376795, unit C-2B) against Officer J. Johnson alleging racist remarks and discrimination on staff treatment.
exhibit · Oct 19, 2021
Meeting With Jail Staff page 7 - Mrs Hubbard, Sgt Franklin, mail delays
Page 7 of jail town hall notes. Notes Mrs Hubbard and Sgt Franklin admitted they had to overcome racist preconceptions, and treat detainees fairly. Documents extreme mail delays - mail being passed out 1-4+ months after USPS timestamps; Ryan still receiving March mail in August/September.
exhibit · Oct 19, 2021
Meeting With Jail Staff page 6 - Aramark food, scurvy symptoms, white supremacist accusations
Page 6 of jail town hall notes. Documents Aramark food failures: pubic hairs in food, taste of cleaning supplies, dinner of bread/cheese/Oreo cookies, supply chain issues blamed. Inmates exhibiting scurvy symptoms - hair loss, scaly skin, rashes, hives. Mentions officers labeling them White Supremacist/Racist based on news coverage; CPL Hubbard mentioned at bottom.
letter
From Ryan — timeline p5 (closing): "I am a Dog in a Boarding Kennel," Fucking Help me
Final page (5) of Ryan timeline: shirts dirty, ring stains, filthy clothing. Detainees joke and play card games "as if we are children." Black racism from every employee. Called racist/white supremacist. Food brought as if going to bite — guards open door a crack, side meds in, drop and close. Mean-mugging, dirty metal water, food minimal/inedible. "I am a Dog in a Boarding Kennel" - mind blowing. Concludes: "This entire establishment is a Human Machine that generates & produces hate & racism. Employees read The Final Call, make a decision to abuse me for being a pig, dog, animal, beast. For being white. Fucking help me..." Signed by Ryan.
letter
From Ryan — p3: Final Call ideology, civil rights plea, named guards list
Page 3 of Ryan letter: chained, shackled, slurs continue ("shithead, honkey, cracker, Trumper, threaten"). Describes "The Final Call" newspaper promoting radical Islam, white hate, racial violence, downgrading America — "the entire staff of 98% black read this paper every week." Asks "Where are my civil rights? Where is the ACLU, NAACP, civil rights attorney?" Names guards: Pinky, Hays, C. Adams, McDade, Franklin, Robinson, Armstrong, Holmes, Hauser, Lt. Shumer, Brown — "most female guards dont wear name tape." Describes "Gestapo intimidation techniques / SERE School textbook tactics": pulled from cells (Robinson is ERT boss), May 2021 mean-mugged: "How are you, how are living conditions?...WTF am I suppose to say? Answer incorrectly you go to the hole." March: shackled, two female guards (Hays, Pinky) yelling "Trump Boy, supremist, you people on & on, led down hallway to remote room."
letter
From Ryan — p2 of new sheet: outdoor rec 4 times in 6 months, no VA rep (5 requests)
Page 2 of a Ryan letter. Radical Islamic newspaper The Final Call by Louis Farrakhan and "some other towel head Muhammad" taught at CTF. Guards pull white inmates aside for "bitch sessions designed to downgrade my skin color - oh sounds a bit like CRT." Cells: crammed corners, human fecal matter, urine, stained walls w/ DNA spray. "Inmates speak out - you go to the hole for two weeks." Led to medical: fully cuffed, leg irons, black inmates roaming freely calling him motherfucker, spitting, homosexual threats, cracker, white boy. Guards laughing, threats of death. "23/1 lock down for four months. Out side rec, 4 times in 6 months. Too hot, they take us out when its the hottest part of day, almost passed out twice, no shade." Five requests for VA Rep: smart-ass comments "white TS & white boy." Gave up. "Im 70% disabled."
letter
From Ryan — abuse list continued (CRT, Kamala/Biden attire mockery, solitary), page 4
Page 4 of Ryan Nichols letter — list continues: lead paint in cells, no discovery access, no legal printers, denial of legal motions, vaccine requirements for visits/haircuts/religious services, CRT and re-education propaganda on tablets, 25.5+ hour solitary confinement, Congressional visits denied, racial and religious profiling, political mockery by staff wearing Democrat/BLM/Kamala/Biden attire, sent to The Hole for political views.
letter
From Ryan — timeline p3: Farrakhan ideology, 10-day isolation after attorney visit, lost legal paperwork
Page 3 of Ryan timeline: characterizes Farrakhan as "hard core racist Marxist paid for by US tax dollars" teaching there is no god other than Allah, all whites are dogs/pigs/beasts. Slurs documented: white boy, white bitch motherfucker, you people, clown, whites. After attorney visit guards put him in isolation for 10 days, 24hr lockdown, not even COVID-checked. 2:00 AM medical run aborted — when he gets back his legal paperwork is gone. Names guards Pinky, Hays, Armstrong. "Who am I going to tell?"
exhibit
Timeline - p10 (Officer Holmes, Cpl Hayes vs Kash Kelly, Zoloft)
Page 10 of timeline. Continues June 1-2 Officer Holmes Beat his ass incident (grievances filed, he brought them back crossed by him). Cpl Hayes calling in on his day off to harass Kash (Kelly); Cpl Hayes removed from unit. The Final Call newspaper passed around jail telling about how the White Race is bad - Racial discrimination. Got back on Zoloft July/Aug for mental health. Officers from Mar 9 - July/Aug would hit door middle of night to wake security team. Margin notes 1st 11:45AM, ext alarm 4:30am-4:45am.
motion
Argument notes: influencing a juror, racial prejudice analogy, Tyler FBI/Fitzer
Handwritten supporting argument for Motion to Dismiss: discusses sitting President influencing jury pool, influence of racial prejudice citing case reversal if found, the hypothetical "if Biden said blacks are the enemy of the state", asks how MAGA Republicans are fair game for sub-constitutional treatment. References Tyler FBI supervisor and Jeffery Fifer.
letter
Handwritten Essay - Guard Misconduct & Political Prisoner Claim (p.5)
Page 5 of handwritten essay detailing guard misconduct - racial profiling, harassment, assaults, court access denials - and Ryan framing himself and codefendants as political prisoners on American soil.
Co-detainee15 documents in 12 items
Corroborating witness statements and letters from fellow January 6 detainees.
grievance_form · Nov 17, 2021
Informal Grievance Form #135251 page 2 — witness list incl. Jon Mellis, Doug Jensen, Brandon Fellows (11/17/21)
Page 2 of Ryan Nichols' Informal Grievance #135251/IGP #22111223-848 dated 11/17/21 — cites Inmate Handbook page 1 number 8 non-discrimination clause, references unresolved 9/18/21 incident, lists J6 co-detainee witnesses, and requests copy for attorney Joseph McBride.
exhibit · Oct 19, 2021
Meeting With Jail Staff page 4 - grievances, PREA, racial discrimination, CPL Hayes/Armstrong/Holmes
Page 4 of jail town hall notes. Documents extensive grievances filed by Pod C2B detainees: legal mail not mailed (Tim Hale), PREA violation grievance by Sean McHugh witnessed by Alan Byerly, racial discrimination by Ryan Nichols/Shane Jenkins/Jose Padilla. Names CPL Hayes (harassed Kash Kelly), CPL Armstrong (door-kicking incident), CPL Holmes (told detainees Shut The F up and F America when singing National Anthem), Scott Fairlamb confronted Hayes. Sgt Robinson, Lt Shoemake mentioned.
letter
From Ryan — constitutional violation brainstorm by amendment (1st/4th/6th/8th/14th)
Brainstorming page mapping conditions to constitutional amendments. Includes co-detainee Sean McHugh #378159. 1st Amendment: church, clergy, grooming, nutrition/diet, rec time, communication w/ lawyers & family, journalist interviews, congress. 4th: cell searches, let my dog out, food, water, mattress, excessive heat south 2, fires/drugs/fights guards did nothing. Administrative segregation without a hearing. 8th: no bail/excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishment, chained shackled in hallways while others were not. 6th: courtrooms, law library, slow medical treatment, responding with legal paperwork, people quarantine in C2B. Case law filtered. 14th equal protection: Muslims get church, more tablets, rec time, better food, contact. Mail in/mail out, not enough clothes, Final Call racist. Black mold, cockroaches, shit/piss/semen, sexual harassment in front of guards. "Going to the hole without punishment ie written up, cancelling commissary, being placed on PHD."
exhibit
The Final Call - p3 Redneck Pod, Kash Kelly, Troy Smocks
Page 3 of The Final Call essay. Describes The Final Call newspaper calling the White Race a race of beasts costing the Black race their lives, chaplain distributing it weekly. Sgts/Lts referring to J6 unit as the Redneck Pod. Black J6 inmates Kash Kelly and Troy Smocks told Ryan that without them in the pod, the jail would make it much harder on the white people in here.
affidavit
Timothy Hale (Hale-Cusanelli #376441) veteran witness statement (signed)
Timothy Hale veteran statement listing experiences in DC DOC: religious discrimination, ideological repression, no nutrition or gym access, extended solitary, no veterans/mental health services, mail/phone/electronic abuses, denial of legal counsel, mold/insects, targeted political/racial harassment by staff, jailhouse-snitch sabotage, restricted law library, and 1.5 years isolation. Specifically references Ryan Nichols' decline. Signed Timothy Hale #376441.
motion
Sean McHugh — earlier draft IAC brief (Lexi Negin BLM, DUI/alcoholism, 2nd detention hearing)
Earlier draft (page 1) of Sean McHugh’s ineffective-assistance brief. Top margin: "from the start Lexi told me to admit to alcoholism since I have a DUI." Body alleges federal defender Lexi Negin said she was a BLM supporter, said if he were black it would be considered assault, and warned him not to fire Maria Jacob "in DC else I would look really bad implying I would look racist." Negin told him to exhaust his next detention hearing with Jacob because Sacramento judges are "podunk hillbillies" and DC courts "actually do findings." During 2nd detention hearing, Jacob said things to implicate his guilt without consulting him, told him beforehand to "sit down, shut up and just smile." He felt humiliated.
letter · Sep 15, 20212 pages
Alan Byerly — "Hole" placement for "looking white"
Letter from J6 detainee Alan Byerly #378160. The Final Call newsletter circulated with racist theology calling white people swine/pigs/dogs by Louis Farrakhan. Denied Church/Clergy/Barber unless vaccinated. Food barely edible - dinner 9/15/21 at 8:40pm was 2 hard boiled eggs, 4 pieces bread, scant noodle salad, 4 cookies, tartar sauce. Over half his GTL tablet contacts cant message him, including Power of Attorney and his father. Filed informal complaint - reply said they were blocked but he can check himself. Contact visits with family/attorneys require vaccine or 2-week quarantine - yet same people served papers via outside visitor (rules only when inconvenient). Added 5 new phone numbers, waited 2 days, none worked. At C.D.F. intake told would be PC to get to CTF but sent to quarantine with General Population prisoners. COs blurted out his cell # so other prisoners knew.
letter · Sep 15, 20212 pages
Julian Khater — Officer Hayes beat Ryan Samsel; "Redneck Tank" slur
Letter dated Wednesday 9-15-21 from Julian Khater inmate #377187 (J6 detainee charged in Officer Sicknick assault). Got to DC prison 4/13/21 - purposely transferred on bond hearing day to make him miss. Tested negative twice with two different tests but they said half had COVID. Arrived DC with 5 others: Peter S, Jorden M, Tom W, Chris W came from Warsaw Virginia (Northern Neck). Heard short lady saying multiple racist things about them, calling them dangerous, told to "throw us in the Redneck Tank where all the other Jan 6ers are." Still had to quarantine in inhumane/sub-human conditions, 23 hours locked down. First week sleeping on metal no pillow/blanket. Denied medication for chronic congestion and allergic rhinitis - took MONTHS. Chest pains.
exhibit · Oct 26, 2021
Signed Witness Statement re Thomas Sibick PT 3 (10/26/21) - Racist Comments
Part 3 of signed witness statement dated 10/26/21 by Ryan Nichols, Ronnie Sandlin, and Nathaniel DeGrave documenting Thomas Sibick making racist remarks in C-2B pod.
letter · Mar 8, 20212 pages
Kelly Meggs (Oath Keepers) — CPL Pinky slur and Samsel beating witness
Testimony from Oath Keepers Kelly Meggs (#376780), arrival DC Jail 3/8/21. Religious services denied except 2 periodicals: "Daily Bread" and "The Final Call" (filled with hate of white people, beasts/hogs/dogs/devils, directed toward Muslims). No haircut/beard trim 200+ days, nails not cut 4 months. Locked in cell without shower 4 days after arrival - no contact with family or attorney 96 hours - case manager off until Fri 3/12. CPL Pinky called them "crackers" repeatedly, threatened to send to main jail "to be stabbed because they all hate us." Shackled every time walked out of unit while other jail inmates free to roam. Lockdowns for using "Trump" on grievance forms.
letter
Shane Jenkins #377186 — FDC Houston, SSSS flag, Fairlamb/Holmes incident
Letter from Shane Jenkins #377186. 11 days no shower at FDC Houston. Early morning military style raid with bull horns, laser beams, armored personnel carrier, both ends of street blocked. No phone 26 days. After 11 days shower only MWF, no free calls, 15 minutes shower MWF only. Filed complaint w/ US Marshalls re inmates calling him "racist ass white boy" "racist ass Trump supporter" - nothing done. February Denver ski trip with church Singles ministry - SSSS on boarding pass, super intrusive pat down, electronics swabbed for explosives, bomb sniffing dog, second-time pulled aside - "humiliated and treated like a terrorist." Transported in black box restraint over cuffs/shackles. In DC denied attorney access weeks, placed in PC against will. Requested chaplain brought Catholic Knights of Malta Bible (not James or NKJV). No church/volunteers - given Farrakhan News letters promoting racism. Law library never accessible. No books/vending in quarantine. Mail held at least 2 months. Northern Neck Regional Jail diet doesnt meet federal guidelines. Witnessed Officer Holmes threaten and run into Scott Fairlamb cell with 3 officers - Fairlamb said "Fuck America" re J6 detainees singing anthem and God Bless America.
affidavit
Jeffrey McKellop witness statement re DC DOC solitary (p.1)
Page 1 of Jeff McKellop signed witness statement describing isolation 24/1, 48/1, 72/1, guards banging cell door nightly, racial harassment, and unsanitary cell conditions (feces, urine, mold) on arrival.
Attorney3 documents in 1 item
Defense counsel correspondence (Joseph McBride, Jonathan Gross).
motion · Aug 10, 20223 pages
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Civil Action 1:22-cv-02356, Nichols v. Garland, filed 8/10/2022, 65 pp.)
Page 18 names individual DC Jail staff and alleged misconduct: Lt Moore gassing led to Daniel Caldwell and Lonnie Caffman stretchered; Lt Bruce sent Petitioner to The Hole; Cpl Armstrong kicked Petitioner in head and sexually assaulted detainee; Sgt Robinson bragged about blocking congressional visits and haircut; Cpl Hayes disciplined for disclosing surveillance cameras viewable by public; Cpl Holmes screamed obscenities re anthem; Cpl Pinkney threatened to send Petitioner to where real BLM will stab you up; Cpl Dandy racial slurs (Suck my dick White-boy to Scot Fairlamb); Capt Saunders covered for Dandy.
Govt response2 documents
Responses from DC DOC, the U.S. Marshals, and federal agencies.
grievance_form · Nov 17, 2021
Yellow IGP #22111223-829 vs Officer J. Johnson — denied Non-Grievable by TCAM (11/22/21)
Yellow inmate copy of DC DOC PP 4030.1 Inmate Informal Resolution Complaint Form, IGP # 22111223-829 (companion to 848), submitted by Ryan Nichols 11/17/21 against Officer J. Johnson; DOC response handwritten Non-Grievable, See Attached by responder TCAM (PCM dept) dated 11/22/21.
grievance_form · Sep 20, 2021
Informal Grievance — ERT Racial Slur Incident (9/18/21)
Informal Grievance Form by Ryan Nichols (DCDC #376795, Unit C2B) regarding the Sept 18, 2021 ERT Team incident in which an ERT team member called inmates "Cracker Ass Pussys" as they left pod C2B. Cites inmate handbook "Freedom from discrimination based on race". Requests body cam footage review.
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