DOJ Retracts Claim It Seized ‘Fully Constructed’ Lego Set From Accused Capitol Rioter

A sign for the Department of Justice is seen in Washington on Jan. 12, 2021. Sarah Silbiger-Pool/Getty Images

The Department of Justice has retracted its claim that it seized a “fully constructed U.S. Capitol Lego set” from an accused Jan. 6 Capitol breacher.

In an memorandum asking a court to order Robert Morss be held pending trial, prosecutors claimed that law enforcement officials “recover[ed] a fully constructed U.S. Capitol Lego set” while arresting the defendant.

But in a supplemental motion, authorities said that they erred in conveying that claim.

“Please note that after a review of the photographs from the search, there appears to have been a miscommunication and that statement appears to be inaccurate. The Lego set was in a box and not fully constructed at the time of the search, as pictured below,” they wrote.

A U.S. Capitol Lego set seized by FBI agents from Robert Morss, an accused U.S. Capitol rioter. DOJ

A lawyer representing Morss didn’t respond to a request for comment by press time.

Morss is in custody on charges including civil disorder and violent entry of a building on Capitol grounds.

Surveillance footage showed Morss on Jan. 6 pushing his way toward a line of officers guarding the Lower West Terrace doors of the Capitol, prosecutors say. He then allegedly grabbed an officer’s shield and passed it back to other members of the crowd.

Morss and other breachers ultimately entered the Capitol through a broken window, footage showed.

Prosecutors allege that he would pose a danger to the community and present a flight risk if released.

A hearing on whether to allow Morss’s release is scheduled for July 13.