‘Patriot Boys’ charged in Capitol riot also hosted a political rally in Fort Worth
Six months after federal agents say he attacked police in the U.S. Capitol breach, Lucas Denney of Mansfield was on stage at a political rally in Fort Worth.
Records released by Fort Worth city officials show that “Luke” Denney, 44, a wildlife pest exterminator now held without bond in the Jan. 6, 2021, incident, later hosted the “Patriots for America” militia rally June 5 in Trinity Park.
Having stormed the Capitol, Denney was still storming for Texans to overturn the 2020 election and remove President Joe Biden.
If you still think what happened in Washington was just a protest, take a look at the 42-page criminal complaint filed Dec. 7 in U.S. District Court.
Federal agents say Denney posted Facebook memes calling for protesters to “Occupy Congress” Jan. 6, 2021, then shoved officers, tried to grab their pepper spray, swung a metal pole at one officer and hurled a cylindrical tube, all on his way into the Capitol.
Denney and Don Hazard, 43, of Hurst, a fellow wildlife pest exterminator with a criminal assault record, are among the most recent of more than 20 North Texans facing federal criminal charges in connection with attacks on police, incursions and disturbances during the Capitol breach.
Denney is listed in the complaint and on social media as the president of the Patriot Boys of North Texas. That Fort Worth- and Breckenridge-based militia staged the June rally in Trinity Park, and online comments describe Denney as one of the speakers.
Online commenters have nicknamed him “Poletosser.”
Months after the Capitol attack, he was still playing politics.
According to the group’s website and social media, the Patriot Boys raised money as recently as October for a Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter in Fort Worth.
They also appeared at events alongside Republican candidates and at least one elected official wearing their emblem, a skull with rifles crossed behind it and the inscriptions, “1776” and “Isa. 54:17.”
The Book of Isaiah verse says no weapon can succeed against the “servants of the Lord.”
The online ad for the Trinity Park rally showed the emblem across red, white and blue American and Texas flags, surrounded by headlines such as “The Big Lie,” “MAGA,” “One Community!” and “We Stand Together!”
According to the city permit application, Denney paid $510 to use Trinity Park Pavilion for an all-day event. It included vendors and merchandise.
It was listed as a “voter rally.”
(Government agencies can’t legally refuse anyone access to public property solely over the message or content.)
In the federal complaint, Denney is quoted as sending these Facebook messages about Dec. 29, 2020, the week before the Capitol breach:
“It’s the rally [President Donald] Trump has called for. It’s the day that Congress is going to try and certify the results with the electorial [sic] college. But [Vice President Mike] Pence oversees that and he can deny the ones from the states that cheated.
“It’s paid for. ... We are linking up with thousands of Proud Boys and other militia that will be there. This is going to be huge.”
In the comments, Denney said he would bring 200 Patriot Boys to Washington in case the election outcome were reversed and unrest resulted.
But he also promised a “surprise” coming after the less eventful morning Trump rally and posted images saying members should “Occupy Congress.”
He has continued to bait FBI agents all year, posting TikTok videos calling for a military “coupe,” meaning coup.
Denney was arrested near Brackettville with a border militia. His court-appointed lawyer declined to comment.
Hazard is seen on video inside the Senate parliamentarian’s office. He later fought on the stairs with a Capitol police officer who fell and hurt his head, foot and arm.
The two men operate a “wildlife removal” business in Breckenridge and counties west of Fort Worth, offering to remove “snakes, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, skunks, birds, bats, ect.”
Hazard has been released on his own recognizance, according to court records, and faces a Feb. 3 hearing.
“Make sure you get my face,” he said on a Washington Post video.
Afterward, Hazard posted Facebook comments such as, “It’s a sad day when Patriots have to fight law enforcement.”
It was definitely one of America’s saddest days.
Staff writer Megan Cardona contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 5:45 AM.
