Isaac Sturgeon: An Incredible Story Traveling Oversees and Being Incarcerated Again!

J6er Isaac Sturgeon’s African Ordeal Highlights Need for State Department Action

Isaac Sturgeon, like many other January 6th defendants, found himself on the receiving end of what some call an overzealous prosecution by the Biden Department of Justice. However, President Trump recently intervened, granting pardons to Sturgeon and approximately 1,600 other J6ers, with the exception of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who have been released but are still awaiting their own pardons.

Following his release, Sturgeon embarked on a journey to Africa, where an incredible story unfolded—one that deserves to be shared as a cautionary tale for other J6ers considering international travel.

Sturgeon’s primary goal after his prison time was to visit his young daughter in Namibia. This month, he made the trip, also intending to catch up with friends and complete a hunting expedition that was cut short when Kenyan authorities arrested him in 2021 for his involvement in the January 6th events.

According to his mother, Sturgeon is relishing his newfound freedom after a distressing incident in Kenya—one she believes could have been avoided had the State Department fulfilled its responsibilities. Last Wednesday, Sturgeon called his mother from a locked cell in Nairobi Airport. He had flown from Namibia to Kenya to visit friends, only to be informed by Kenyan authorities that he was barred from entering the country. For four days, he was detained in a locked room alongside two Ethiopians and one Somali man*. Fortunately, he was permitted to keep his cell phone during his confinement.

That Wednesday night, at 10:00 p.m. in Washington, D.C., Sturgeon’s family contacted Senator Steve Daines, who immediately mobilized his team to pressure the State Department into resolving the issue within the Kenyan system. Although the problem persists, Daines has vowed to continue advocating on Sturgeon’s behalf in the coming days.

When the Kenyan authorities finally released Sturgeon from the cell, they informed him he had to leave the country but withheld his passport until his final destination was confirmed. Senator Daines kept Sturgeon’s family updated, texting to assure them that his team was closely monitoring the situation. In a video call with his mother, Sturgeon, now freely walking through the airport, confirmed that his passport was returned just before he boarded a flight back to Namibia—a resolution made possible thanks to Senator Daines’ efforts.

Sturgeon’s ordeal underscores the potential pitfalls J6ers may face when traveling abroad, even after receiving presidential pardons. His story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of State Department vigilance and the need for clear communication to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Thank you Senator Steve Daines – https://www.daines.senate.gov/

An interesting note about Isaac’s detention:

The cell was a lot less clean than American prison. But not abusive necessarily.
Isaac also told there were no blankets, only a few mattresses and sheets. They had chicken and rice for meals. If he wanted other food, he had to pay for it. There was not much water unless he asked and paid for it. Through one door was a bathroom with no toilet paper. He requested toilet paper, and they gave him paper towels. That’s typical in a foreign country. The other door had no handle and was locked.
No one seemed to know what was going on or why he was in there. It was probably better than other Kenyan jails.

*Isaac’s cellmates were released before he was. He doesn’t know long they had been in there.