Members of the far-right group Proud Boys make ‘OK’ hand gestures indicating “white power” as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the US Capitol to protest the certification of the presidential election results of 2020 by the US Congress, in Washington, USA, January 6, 2021.
Jim Urquhart | Reuters
Two members of the far-right nationalist group, the Proud Boys, were indicted on Friday in federal court for conspiring to obstruct law enforcement and other charges related to their participation in the deadly Capitol riots on January 6.
Dominic Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, New York, and William Pepe, 31, of Beacon, New York, were initially charged with a criminal complaint and arrested earlier this month, according to a press release from the United States Department of Justice. USA.
The men were indicted in DC’s federal court on Friday on charges of conspiracy, civil disorder, illegal entry into buildings or restricted areas and disorderly and disturbing conduct in restricted buildings or areas.
Pezzola also faces charges of obstructing an official lawsuit; additional charges of civil disorder and assistance and complicity in civil disorder; theft of US personal property; attack, resist or prevent certain officers; destruction of government property; and involvement in physical violence in buildings or restricted areas.
Pepe was an employee of the Metro Transit Authority who used a day’s sick leave to travel to DC for planned riots, according to an arrest statement. The agency suspended him.
Pezzola, a former US Marine, was filmed using a police shield to break a window and break into the Capitol. Witnesses also told authorities that Pezzola, known by some as “Spaz”, said he would have killed Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if he had the chance, according to a criminal complaint statement.
Prosecutors also said that Pezzola posted a video on social media smoking a cigar inside the Capitol and declaring, “Smoke from the Capitol victory, guys.”