A former High Point police officer has been charged in connection with the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in January. Laura Steele, 52, is one of six alleged members of the militia group Oath Keepers to be arrested.
According to a timeline laid out by the U.S. Justice Department, Steele joined the Oath Keepers group just before their trip to Washington for a pro-Trump rally.
Steele lives in Thomasville but some other members of the group, including her brother, live in Florida.
Investigators say the Oath Keepers are among a number of well-known anti-government militias in the country. One of the things that separate them from the others is their preference to recruit current and former members of the military and law enforcement.
Steele cited 13 years of law enforcement experience in North Carolina on her Oath Keeper application, adding she had served as a K-9 officer and on the SWAT team.
High Point police say she worked for the department from 1992 to 2004. She was terminated for conduct toward superior personnel, absence from duty, and violation of communications policy.
Investigators say the group, clad in military-style outfits, marched up the Capitol steps during the insurrection and broke into the building in an attempt to block certification of Joe Biden's victory in the presidential election. The insurrection effort failed.
The documents detail only the government's side of the case.
Authorities arrested Steele in Greensboro last week.