Mostly Peaceful? Alleged Antifa Extremist Arrested for Targeting Fla. Rally with Bomb, Other Explosives

Nick Kangadis | January 10, 2022
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If it looks, smells and sounds like Antifa, it must be Antifa…allegedly.

A man supposedly targeting a rally in which people were protesting the treatment of people being held in connection with the events of January 6, 2021 was arrested late last week.

Garrett James Smith, 22, was found to be carrying “an active pipe bomb,” and upon acting on a search warrant of Smith’s home — which is basically his parents house — authorities found “more explosives, tape and nails for use in grenades,” according to an article in The Post Millennial, written by journalist Andy Ngo.

According to Ngo:

Bomb squad investigators from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Tampa Police responded to the home and determined the devices were homemade IEDs.

A search of Smith's home he shares with his parents in Oldsmar, Fla. revealed more explosives, tape and nails for use in grenades. Smith’s “direct action” checklist included a drawing of an umbrella, a symbol adopted by Antifa militants for their frequent use of black umbrellas to shield one another from cameras while they commit acts of violence or vandalism. The helmet found in his backpack during his arrest had the Antifa “iron front” symbol painted on it.

While Smith’s resides in Florida, he reportedly had just returned from a trip to Portland, Oregon, where one of the more violent Antifa groups hails from.

So even though we can’t say for sure whether Smith is part of the far-left Antifa fascists, the evidence of his affiliation with the group points towards that being the case.

Even the arrest affidavit for Smith lists “ANTIFA” as an “Aggravating/Mitigating Factor” that contributed to his arrest.

Smith is being charged with loitering and prowling and three counts of making and possessing or discharging a destructive device, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

For the press conference on Smith’s arrest, which includes pictures of the evidence and Smith’s alleged plans, watch below:

 

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