Protesters, including Aaron Mostofsky, on the right, who is identified on his arrest warrant, descend the stairs outside the Senate Chamber at the United States Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021. | Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photo
NEW YORK – The son of a Brooklyn judge was arrested and assaulted on federal criminal charges for his participation in the pro-Trump siege of the U.S. Capitol last week.
Aaron Mostofsky appeared virtually in federal court in Brooklyn on Tuesday on charges of theft of federal property and illegal entry into a restricted government building and disorderly conduct that interrupted a Congressional session.
Mostofsky is the son of Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Shlomo Mostofsky, a leader of the city’s conservative orthodox community. He is seen in pictures inside the Capitol dressed in fur, wearing a bulletproof vest from the Capitol Police officer and holding a Capitol Police shock shield.
He was released on $ 100,000 bail after agreeing not to attend any political meetings or to visit any state capitol – and not to leave New York City unless court officials approved. He will be staying at his brother’s home in Brooklyn.
Mostofsky is accused of “participating in what was a mob attack and a riot at the United States Capitol,” said Assistant Prosecutor Josh Hafetz. “Given the events of last week, the government is deeply concerned about the defendant’s conduct.”
The defendant’s lawyer, Jeffrey Schwartz, said he would avoid the policy.
“The evidence will show that he was not part of the crowd and was not acting violently,” said Schwartz.
“But he understands the seriousness of what is being accused. He understands how the whole thing in Washington got totally out of control, ”he added. “Your only interest now is to resolve these charges and, hopefully, get a fair settlement.”
A criminal complaint cites an interview Mostofsky gave the New York Post from within the Capitol, claiming that “the election was stolen” and “we were cheated”.
The complaint estimates that the bulletproof vest he took was worth $ 1,905, while the riot shield is valued at $ 256.65 – making Mostofsky responsible for a crime for stealing federal government property worth more than $ 1,000.
The complaint also accuses him of posting photos and videos from within Capitol on his Instagram account. When another user sent him a message saying ““ Your famous ”, he replied:“ IK [I know] unfortunately. “He also wrote about his presence on the Capitol:” But it was like I was here now, how I got there. “