A couple with ties to the Santa Ynez Valley, including a woman who serves on a community services district board, has been criminally charged in connection the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Karen Jane Jones and her husband, Robert Walter Jones, were arrested Dec. 14. She was taken into custody in Austin, Texas, while he was arrested in Los Angeles. 

The arrest warrants were issued Nov. 28 by a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Columbia. 

Online sleuths had identified the couple as being among those who entered the Capitol amid protests related to the joint session of the Congress to certify the Electoral College vote count after the 2020 Presidential Election.

FBI agents used records obtained from cell phones and email accounts, along with video and images on Jan. 6, to compile their case. Investigators also conducted surveillance of Karen Jones at her California residence.

The Joneses allegedly breached the perimeter establishing restricted grounds and eventually entered the Capitol building, federal investigators contend.

After U.S. Capitol Police directed protesters to exit, the Joneses remained in the Rotunda Lobby “for some time.” Investigators used video to determine the pair were inside the Capitol for approximately 30 minutes in total.

They each face four charges, including for entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. 

Karen Jones did not respond to a Noozhawk request for comment Wednesday.

She serves on the Santa Ynez Community Services District board of directors, and faced a call for her resignation Wednesday night. 

Two directors said they had received multiple questions and comments from members of the public amid media reports of the criminal charges and arrests.

“I think with what’s happened in the press that Karen should resign so that this organization can get back to business,” board member David Beard said. “My phone ringing off the hook with press this week has been ridiculous, and it’s a distraction to this organization.”

Board member Tina Padelford said she received messages on social media from users upset at the reports of the criminal case, and suggested people contact the district office to submit comments of concern. 

“Well, I think it’s Karen’s business,” said Frank Redfern, board president. “I don’t know what the phone ringing off the hook means, if that’s five phone calls or a hundred. But everybody’s got opinions.”

“I think the comments were noted,” said Bradlee Van Pelt, board member. “I think we should all be aware there’s a heightened scrutiny of the CSD right now, and I believe we should all be aware of it because we are representing constituents and we do have business.

“As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have a direct opinion, but I’m very aware of the circumstances and very attune to what’s happened.”

In 2021 and 2022, Jones filled the role of president on the CSD board, and just wrapped up a year as vice president.

Jones, known for her blunt-speaking statements with strong opinions, remained uncharacteristically quiet during the brief discussion Wednesday as she again attended remotely.

She hasn’t attended in-person meetings since January 2023, taking advantage of relaxed rules for remote attendance at public meetings.

Instead, she has participated remotely with meeting agendas listing addresses in Texas including Abilene, Dripping Springs, Burnet and Medina.

The community services board meets monthly — and sometimes more often. The district oversees wastewater services and street lights in Santa Ynez area.

Her current four-year term expires in November 2024. While board members are considered elected officials, the Santa Ynez CSD voters don’t always get to select them due to too few candidates filing and people getting appointed to fill the vacancies.

For a March 15 meeting, the agenda said she would attend remotely for just cause due to family childcare issues. 

Other agendas simply said she would attend remotely, as she did again Wednesday night.

Public agencies began making use of remote participation in meetings due to the pandemic, as COVID-19 exposures or infections led to elected officials and members of the public ended up in quarantine.

Jones previously ran for Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to represent the Third District in both 2016 and 2020 where Joan Hartmann topped the field of candidates both times.

In the criminal case, Karen Jones and Robert Jones have been ordered to appear by video conference before Magistrate Judge Robin M. Meriweather on Jan. 2. 

Federal officials said that in the nearly three years since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,230 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.

More than 440 individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony.