Mark “Oz” Geist appeared on Fox News Friday morning discussing the arrest of Zubayr al-Bakoush, who faces eight federal charges for the September 11, 2012 attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi. The former Marine and Teller County deputy sheriff joined former House Benghazi Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy on “America’s Newsroom” hours after al-Bakoush arrived at Andrews Air Force Base.
Geist and John “Tig” Tiegen were among six CIA security contractors who fought that night from the annex.
Al-Bakoush arrived at Andrews Air Force Base at 3:00 AM Friday. Attorney General Pam Bondi called him “one of the key participants” in the assault that killed four Americans.
The indictment charges al-Bakoush with murdering Ambassador Chris Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith, attempting to murder Special Agent Scott Wickland, conspiracy to support terrorists, and arson. Court documents state al-Bakoush entered the compound at 10:01 PM, conducted surveillance, and attempted to enter mission vehicles.
Geist and Tiegen—both Colorado Springs-area residents—were CIA security contractors stationed at a nearby annex when the attack began. The two former Marines were among six contractors who drove to the burning diplomatic compound and extracted more than 30 personnel. They fought through a 13-hour assault. CIA contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty died when mortar fire struck the annex roof around 5:00 AM. Geist’s right arm was severely damaged.
Geist and Tiegen co-wrote “13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi” with journalist Mitchell Zuckoff and the other surviving security team members. The book states they requested permission to respond to distress calls from the diplomatic compound and were told to “stand down.” According to their account, they waited approximately 30 minutes before moving to the compound.
The book became the basis for Michael Bay’s 2016 film “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.” Actor Max Martini portrayed Geist and actor Dominic Fumusa portrayed Tiegen. Both men served as consultants during filming in Malta.
Stevens and Smith died of smoke inhalation during the compound assault. Geist and Tiegen have stated they believe both would have survived if the security team had been allowed to respond immediately upon hearing the distress calls.
Al-Bakoush, 58, appeared before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya Friday afternoon. The judge set a February 11 detention hearing. Al-Bakoush was first charged by sealed complaint in 2015. Prosecutors unsealed the indictment Friday—11 years later. FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Bondi declined to disclose where al-Bakoush was captured or how long he had been in custody.
Al-Bakoush was not charged with the murders of Woods and Doherty. This is the first Benghazi arrest in nine years. Mustafa al-Imam was captured in 2017 and sentenced to 19 years. Ahmed Abu Khatallah was convicted in 2017 and received 22 years.
Geist required two years of surgeries and rehabilitation after Benghazi before working as a Teller County deputy sheriff. Tiegen founded Colorado Veterans for Trump and serves on the Veterans for Trump Advisory Board. He also co-founded the Beyond the Battlefield Foundation, which assists veterans transitioning to civilian life. Both maintain speaking careers addressing military and veteran groups. During Friday’s press conference, Bondi referenced Hillary Clinton’s 2013 congressional testimony: “Hillary Clinton famously once said about Benghazi, ‘What difference at this point does it make?’ Well, it makes a difference to Donald Trump.”
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