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Judi Lynn

(160,545 posts)
Thu Feb 14, 2019, 11:04 PM Feb 2019

A Man Has Been Charged With Trying To Burn Down The Restaurant At The Center Of The "Pizzagate" Cons

Source: BuzzFeed News

A Man Has Been Charged With Trying To Burn Down The Restaurant At The Center Of The "Pizzagate" Conspiracy
The DC pizza parlor has been at the center of a baseless far-right conspiracy theory that claims it secretly provides underage prostitutes to top Democrats.


Salvador Hernandez
BuzzFeed News Reporter
Last updated on February 14, 2019, at 9:53 p.m. ET

Posted on February 14, 2019, at 9:02 p.m. ET

A California man has been charged with intentionally setting a fire inside the Washington, DC, pizza parlor at the center of the debunked conspiracy theory known as "pizzagate," authorities said.

Ryan Rimas Jaselskis, of Los Angeles, was charged Wednesday with one count of arson in connection with the Jan. 23 fire at the Comet Ping Pong pizza restaurant, DC Metropolitan Police officials said in a statement.

Jaselskis' connection to the fire came two days after the 22-year-old was involved in an altercation with law enforcement at the Washington Monument where he was tased and taken into custody, an incident that was captured on video.

Authorities did not say whether the fire sparked inside Comet Ping Pong was linked to the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, but a restaurant employee told ABC affiliate WJLA that Jaselskis purchased three beers and left behind a diaper and baby food — an apparent nod to the baseless viral claim — after setting a thick black curtain on fire.

Read more: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/salvadorhernandez/pizzagate-conspiracy-comet-ping-pong-fire-dc-arrest

34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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A Man Has Been Charged With Trying To Burn Down The Restaurant At The Center Of The "Pizzagate" Cons (Original Post) Judi Lynn Feb 2019 OP
Ryan Rimas Jaselskis: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know Judi Lynn Feb 2019 #1
This owner needs to sue Alex Jones n/t Glamrock Feb 2019 #2
If Jones has anything left after the Sandy Hook victims get theirs. nt Gore1FL Feb 2019 #4
That's my hope Glamrock Feb 2019 #7
Bingo proud patriot Feb 2019 #17
Get in line! Initech Feb 2019 #21
Pizzagate' conspiracy video posted to YouTube account of alleged arsonist's parents before fire Judi Lynn Feb 2019 #3
I'd sue everyone I could if I was the owner. Solly Mack Feb 2019 #5
+1000s DinahMoeHum Feb 2019 #8
What a waste of a young life that could have been put to something constructive. Marie Marie Feb 2019 #6
you have to be some kind of stupid to believe the Pizzagate nonsense.....nt AZ8theist Feb 2019 #9
Agreed. That was the stupidest conspiracy theory I've heard since ever. DorothyG Feb 2019 #13
It's right up there with Q-Anon. Raster Dec 2019 #34
5 Facts Heavy Izzy Blue Feb 2019 #10
We teachers have a saying.... BigmanPigman Feb 2019 #11
Where did the 'Christian' association come from? DorothyG Feb 2019 #14
I read it posted above. BigmanPigman Feb 2019 #15
Ah. sorry I missed it. DorothyG Feb 2019 #16
I just googled Westboro and read about it. BigmanPigman Feb 2019 #22
Apologies. I didn't mean to imply that you were. DorothyG Feb 2019 #27
A "global pedophile ring"? - Not without Trump. keithbvadu2 Feb 2019 #12
The Abject Stupidity Of Trumpsters Is Stunning colsohlibgal Feb 2019 #18
Oh but there is!!! ut oh Feb 2019 #28
I guess it's free room and boarding for him. Mr. Frost Feb 2019 #19
I think it's time they let this shit go. Initech Feb 2019 #20
That can't happen ut oh Feb 2019 #29
Well, since they like Matrix metaphors so much... Initech Feb 2019 #30
Glad they caught this firebug winger truthisfreedom Feb 2019 #23
So, there's kids held captive in the basement snort Feb 2019 #24
The place does not videohead5 Feb 2019 #25
I believe the point they were trying to make is that the arsonist DID believe there were kids in the okaawhatever Feb 2019 #32
How stupid do you have to be ... NanceGreggs Feb 2019 #26
Otherwise known as weaponized stupidity. EOM Jedi Guy Feb 2019 #31
Ommm.....duh. That's why the hid it in the basement. /s nt okaawhatever Feb 2019 #33

Judi Lynn

(160,545 posts)
1. Ryan Rimas Jaselskis: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Thu Feb 14, 2019, 11:07 PM
Feb 2019




A 22-year-old man has been arrested on federal arson charges accusing him of intentionally setting a fire at Comet Ping Pong, a Washington D.C. pizza restaurant that has been the target of believers in the false Pizzagate conspiracy theory. Ryan Rimas Jaselskis, who is an actor, bodybuilder and model, was taken into custody on February 5 by U.S. Park Police officers while trying to climb the fence around the Washington Monument, WRC-TV reports.

Jaselskis, who uses the name Ryan Rimas in his acting and modeling career, entered the Comet Ping Pong restaurant on January 23 about 9:30 p.m. and set fire to curtains inside the eatery, federal prosecutors say. He was caught on surveillance video, which was released by the DC Metropolitan Police and ATF arson task force. The video showed a man in a blue and white jacket inside the Connecticut Avenue restaurant trying to knock down a camera as a fire burns in the background. No one was inside the restaurant and there were no injuries.

Comet Ping Pong has been targeted by conspiracy theorists over the thoroughly debunked Pizzagate conspiracy since the 2016 election. The theory falsely claims that high-ranking Democrats, including Hillary Clinton and John Podesta, are involved in a child sex trafficking ring with other members of the elite class, including other politicians and Hollywood celebrities.

Federal authorities have not yet said if they know Jaselskis’ motive for setting the fire inside Comet. But a YouTube page that features videos from his acting career that is in the name of his parents posted a video promoting the QAnon conspiracy theory on January 23, the same day the fire was set.

More:
https://heavy.com/news/2019/02/ryan-rimas-jaselskis/

Judi Lynn

(160,545 posts)
3. Pizzagate' conspiracy video posted to YouTube account of alleged arsonist's parents before fire
Thu Feb 14, 2019, 11:10 PM
Feb 2019

The video was posted to Ryan Jaselskis' parents' YouTube account an hour before he allegedly tried to burn down the restaurant at the center of the massive internet conspiracy theory.

Feb. 14, 2019, 7:46 PM CST / Updated Feb. 14, 2019, 8:05 PM CST
By Brandy Zadrozny and Ben Collins

Federal prosecutors charged Ryan Jaselskis, a 22-year-old health and wellness coach in California, on Wednesday, alleging he attempted to burn down Comet Ping Pong, the pizza restaurant allegedly at the center of an internet conspiracy theory that falsely claims a sex ring run by celebrities and prominent Democrats is based out of its nonexistent basement.

The so-called Pizzagate conspiracy has been promulgated by far-right adherents since October 2016. It led to a shooting in the shop where no one was hurt in December 2016, when conspiracy theorist Edgar M. Welch demanded to see the child sex ring and fired a rifle several times. Welch is now serving a four-year prison sentence for the crime. And on Jan. 23, a fire broke out at Comet Ping Pong, which prosecutors allege was set by Jaselskis, citing surveillance footage.

A video posted to Jaselskis’ parents’ YouTube account the night of the fire seems to provide a possible link between the alleged arson and the disturbing conspiracy theory that became popular among a fringe group of Trump supporters during the 2016 election, and inspired a shooting in the restaurant that same year.

A video titled “Melissa Video” was posted to the YouTube account run by Paul and Chrissy Jaselskis at 8:07 p.m. ET on Jan. 23, alleging that the world is run by a Satanic global pedophile ring fronted by most major celebrities and Hillary Clinton.

More:
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/pizzagate-conspiracy-video-posted-youtube-account-alleged-arsonist-s-parents-n971891

Marie Marie

(9,999 posts)
6. What a waste of a young life that could have been put to something constructive.
Thu Feb 14, 2019, 11:18 PM
Feb 2019

Now he faces jail for his future. Trump and the GOP are stirring up so much hatred I fear we will never recover from this.

DorothyG

(95 posts)
13. Agreed. That was the stupidest conspiracy theory I've heard since ever.
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 12:06 AM
Feb 2019

How could anyone believe it. It was theatre of the absurd.

 

Izzy Blue

(282 posts)
10. 5 Facts Heavy
Thu Feb 14, 2019, 11:32 PM
Feb 2019

"Federal authorities have not said if Ryan Rimas Jaselskis had a motive for setting the fire at Comet Ping Pong, including whether he was motivated by the Pizzagate conspiracy theory. Jaselskis’ known social media profiles do not show any indication that he is a follower of conspiracy theories.

But a YouTube channel that is in the name of Jaselskis’ parents posted a video on January 23, the same day as the Comet arson, promoting the debunked QAnon conspiracy theory.
jaselskis youtube qanon

A screenshot of the QAnon video uploaded by a YouTube channel connected to Jaselskis.

The video is a 9-minute sprawling overview of the conspiracy theory and promotes the coming “storm,” which followers of the theory believe will occur when President Trump makes public the arrests of those behind the child sex trafficking cabal and “deep state.
.

The video is titled “Melissa video.” It is not clear if Jaselskis’ parents posted the video or if it was posted by Ryan Jaselskis. The YouTube channel features several videos that appear to have been created by Ryan’s mother, but also many videos about Ryan’s acting and modeling career.

Ryan Jaselski’s family lives in South Carolina. He has also lived in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. His parents’ YouTube channel also includes several videos related to a Christian church in South Carolina, along with a weight loss program that his mother is involved in.

His parents could not be reached for comment".





https://heavy.com/news/2019/02/ryan-rimas-jaselskis/

BigmanPigman

(51,611 posts)
11. We teachers have a saying....
Thu Feb 14, 2019, 11:42 PM
Feb 2019

"The NUT doesn't fall far from the tree". That seems to apply to this lovely family of kind, intelligent so-called Christians.

BigmanPigman

(51,611 posts)
15. I read it posted above.
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 12:13 AM
Feb 2019

I think that this is a very hypocritical thing for a Christian to do since they say they are loving and kind to their fellow human beings in their churches all the time. This behavior doesn't seem very kind and loving to me but I guess I could be wrong.

"Ryan Jaselski’s family lives in South Carolina. He has also lived in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. His parents’ YouTube channel also includes several videos related to a Christian church in South Carolina, along with a weight loss program that his mother is involved in."

DorothyG

(95 posts)
16. Ah. sorry I missed it.
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 12:18 AM
Feb 2019

thanks. though that appellation has been used by westboro as well so I am always suspicious...

BigmanPigman

(51,611 posts)
22. I just googled Westboro and read about it.
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 03:42 AM
Feb 2019

I never heard of it before and now I am glad I didn't. I am NOT one of them or one of their supporters.

DorothyG

(95 posts)
27. Apologies. I didn't mean to imply that you were.
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 11:51 AM
Feb 2019

I was just pointing out that some who might appear to have a Christian association (like the perp in the original post) are not always Christians - I think Westboro is really just a cult of lawyers looking to provoke people into taking a swing at them and then suing the jurisdiction for not protecting them properly.

colsohlibgal

(5,275 posts)
18. The Abject Stupidity Of Trumpsters Is Stunning
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 12:32 AM
Feb 2019

Believing that the Clintons were operating a child sex ring there is bad enough, but that it was in the basement, since this place has no basement, is a new level of brain dead.

ut oh

(895 posts)
28. Oh but there is!!!
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 03:58 PM
Feb 2019

It exists in another dimension of course.... You have to perform the proper Satanic ritual (spoken in Aramaic, and repeated in Latin) to access the doorway.





Just in case people are not sure....







ut oh

(895 posts)
29. That can't happen
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 04:00 PM
Feb 2019

Last edited Fri Feb 15, 2019, 09:22 PM - Edit history (1)

This is a key component to the whole "Hillary = evil" thing. If they admit they are wrong with that, then they would have to admit that the rest of their world is a complete fabrication. The cognitive dissonance would be so extreme it would rip a hole in spacetime.

Initech

(100,081 posts)
30. Well, since they like Matrix metaphors so much...
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 04:03 PM
Feb 2019

Their minds are being controlled by a cybernetic entity and they're all Agent Smith at this point. However, that's because they chose to take the blue pill and they go back to believing whatever they want to believe.

videohead5

(2,178 posts)
25. The place does not
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 08:55 AM
Feb 2019

Even have a basement so these people are completely nuts. The thing that makes me mad is they also believe Michelle Obama is a man in drag.

okaawhatever

(9,462 posts)
32. I believe the point they were trying to make is that the arsonist DID believe there were kids in the
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 05:07 PM
Feb 2019

basement and his solution/reaction to the problem was to set a fire which would likely have killed any kids in the basement due to the fact that they couldn't exit. So again...…….a new low in humanity, a new high in stupidity, and one more proper example of irony. Thanks Trump.

NanceGreggs

(27,815 posts)
26. How stupid do you have to be ...
Fri Feb 15, 2019, 11:23 AM
Feb 2019

… to believe that anyone – no less prominent political people – would run such an operation out of a popular DC restaurant?

Answer: Trump-grade stupid.

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