A federal judge accepted a Mercer County woman's apology for appearing to mock a court order mandating she wear a mask while awaiting trial for charges related to the Jan. 6 rioting at the U.S. Capitol.

Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell accepted Rachel Marie Powell's explanation and apology this week for apparently violating her pre-trial release provision that she comply with mask mandates. In accepting Powell's story, Howell agreed not to revoke Powell's pre-trial release.The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services office filed a noncompliance report April 15 against Powell, saying the office received evasive answers from her when it called to inquire about a social media video that appeared to show Powell wearing a mesh mask with her nose and mouth visible. And on April 16, Howell asked Powell to explain the video. Powell responded in court filings earlier this month that her mask fashion was sparked by Lana Del Rey, a pop singer, and Powell's work policy forbids mask use when dealing with customers.“At this time, (the court) has no reason to believe that her apology is not genuine and that she will continue to comply with her conditions of pre-trial release,” Howell writes in the order accepting Powell's explanation.Howell also notes that part of Powell's filing contained letters from members of Powell's church congregation attesting to her use of masks.Powell was arrested by the FBI on Feb. 4 for her alleged connection to the Capitol riot. She was placed in Butler County Prison and released on house arrest Feb. 11. She faces charges of obstruction, depredation of government property, entering a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon, entering a restricted building or grounds and violent entry or disorderly conduct.

Rachel Powell