At least three of the seven people charged in the conspiracy have pleaded guilty. Hicks, who had not been in custody, was allowed to make an initial court appearance via video link on March 21. He asked authorities for help to get him to the federal courthouse.

Last week, Novak approved an order for special transportation involving the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Richmond Ambulance Authority, the Henrico County Division of Fire and state and local emergency personnel, in an effort to protect Hicks’ health, safety and dignity.

Hicks lives in a dwelling attached to the rear of a mobile home in Emporia. Authorities would not comment on how Hicks was moved Monday, but Novak’s order called for him, if possible, to be placed on a gurney and taken out through a doorway and down a ramp.

If it proved necessary to protect his safety, authorities were permitted to open a large hole in the wall of the structure in order to facilitate the use of a device capable of lifting the defendant’s weight. They were also authorized to remove a ramp near his doorway, as well as trees on the property and even of parts of the ceiling.

Next Tuesday’s hearing in the loading dock, set for 1:30 p.m., will be open to the public, as it would in a courtroom. However, anyone wishing to attend must check in with the U.S. Marshals Service 15 minutes prior to the hearing, Novak said.