The uncle of a Missouri woman accused of participating in the US Capitol riot last month now faces charges.
A federal complaint against William Merry Jr. of St. Louis County was opened Thursday night. Merry is the uncle of Emily Hernandez, 21, of Sullivan, who was charged on January 16.
Federal prosecutors claim that Merry and Hernandez were among hundreds of supporters of former President Donald Trump who invaded the Capitol on January 6 after Trump spoke at a rally, forcing lawmakers to hide. A Capitol policeman was among the five people who died.
A billing statement says videos and photos show Hernandez and Merry, wearing a “Trump 2020” cap, holding a broken piece of the nameplate outside the office of Mayor Nancy Pelosi. The document says that several informants provided information that helped lead to Merry’s arrest.
Merry is accused of theft of government property, intentionally entering or staying in a restricted building, disorderly conduct that impedes government business and disturbing conduct in Capitol buildings.
Merry’s lawyer, Ethan Corlija, said Merry was taken into custody on Thursday after the police searched his home. He said that Merry, who is in her 60s, hopes “one day to be able to get over it.”
“He is not the type of person who believes in any kind of violence or conduct that could harm anyone, so he is a little atypical for him,” said Corlija on Friday. “He believes he had the right to participate in a rally and express his political convictions like all of us, but in no way does he tolerate any kind of violence or destruction of property or any kind of government insurrection.”
Another man from the St. Louis area, Paul Westover, 52, of Lake St. Louis in St. Charles County, was charged Thursday with four counts for his alleged role in the riot. A fourth Missourian, Zachary Martin of Springfield, is accused of engaging in illegal activities on the Capitol, disorderly conduct and demonstrations within the Capitol.