Gun Advocate Arrested

HERNDON, Va. (CBSDC) — An outspoken gun advocate has been arrested on drug charges after a July 4th video he posted online of himself loading a shotgun on Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., led to a raid on his Virginia home.

Adam Kokesh, 31, was taken into custody Tuesday night after authorities, including officers with the U.S. Park Police and local law enforcement officials, executed a search warrant at his Herndon home, his spokesperson says.

Kokesh is charged with possession of Schedule I and II drugs as well as possessing drugs while in possession of a firearm. The Washington Post reports that authorities found hallucinogenic mushrooms inside Kokesh’s home.



Exclusive: Tour Inside Kokesh Home Following Raid

The Virginia Drug Control Act defines Schedule I drugs as narcotics that have “no accepted medical use” such as heroin and LSD.

Schedule II drugs are defined as narcotics that have a “high potential for abuse” but have accepted medical use. Those drugs include PCP, cocaine, methadone, and methamphetamine.

Lucas Jewell, a spokesperson for Kokesh, tells WNEW the charges are “kind of accurate.”

He says authorities seized “things that they were claiming were drugs.” Jewell did not elaborate as to what drugs seized during the raid.

Kokesh is currently being held at the Fairfax County Detention Center, where he’s refused to be fingerprinted. He is being held without bond, according to the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office.

Possession of Schedule I and II drugs in Virginia is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $2,500 fine.

It is unclear whether federal authorities in Washington will charge Kokesh in connection to the gun loading video. Carrying a loaded firearm in the District is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The U.S. Park Police is handling that portion of the investigation.

Kokesh is a former Marine who planned an armed march in the District on Independence Day. More than 2,500 people RSVP’d to attend the event on Facebook.

Original Video



The planned route for the march would have taken demonstrators pass the Capitol, Supreme Court and White House.

“This is an act of civil disobedience, not a permitted event,” Kokesh posted before the event. “We will march with rifles loaded and slung across our backs to put the government on notice that we will not be intimidated and cower in submission to tyranny.”

The march was eventually cancelled and Kokesh instead asked firearm advocates to rally at their state capitals according to the DCist.

WNEW’s Kevin Patrick contributed to this report. Follow him and WNEW on Twitter.