Federal police officers arrested two members of the Proud Boys, a right-wing nationalist extremist group, for their role in the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol.
The riot is now the subject of a second impeachment trial for Donald Trump, who is accused of inciting the right-wing crowd in a demonstration that immediately preceded the attack. Federal authorities accused more than 150 people in the attack.
Federal prosecutors have indicted Dominic Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, New York, and William Pepe, 31, of Beacon, New York, on charges of conspiracy, civil disorder, illegal entry into restricted buildings and disorderly conduct in restricted buildings.
The two men were identified as members of the Proud Boys, who, according to federal billing documents, describe themselves as a “pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; also known as western chauvinists ”. The far-right group is known for using violent tactics against its opponents.
Pezzola was the subject of one of the most widely distributed videos of the Capitol riots, in which he used a protective shield pulled from a Capitol police officer to break a window that led to the Capitol.
Michael Sherwin, the United States attorney in charge in Washington, said in a lawsuit that Pezzola “showed perseverance, determination and coordination in being on the front line at every step along the way before invading the Capitol”, and that his actions were destructive to the window and allowing an initial group of protesters to pass “cannot be overstated”.
Pezzola was later seen inside the Capitol building with a cigar, taking what he described as “victory smoke” and boasting that he “knew we could take it”. Pezzola’s lawyer described his client as an autonomous family man.
In a search of Pezzola’s home in Rochester, New York, FBI agents found a flash drive with hundreds of files detailing how to make firearms, poisons or explosives, Sherwin wrote arguing that Pezzola should remain in custody without bail.
Pepe was also photographed inside the Capitol. Later, federal authorities identified him as a Metro-North Railroad train yard worker who called saying he was ill to attend the Trump rally that preceded the uproar. Metro-Norte suspended Pepe without remuneration. He was also forced to hand over a shotgun and a hunting rifle, according to the Associated Press.
In another prison, federal authorities accused Dawn Bancroft, a woman who entered the Capitol building and made a video of herself, with illegal entry into a restricted building, disorderly conduct inside a restricted building and violent entry into a restricted building.
An FBI sworn statement said Bancroft at first denied entering the building. When she saw her own video of the event, the statement said that she “said she lied”. Bancroft’s video showed her inside the Capitol with a friend and said that she was looking for “Nancy”, who was believed to be Nancy Pelosi, the mayor, so that they could shoot her “in the bloody brain”.
Police are still looking for a suspect in the placement of tubular bombs outside the Republican and Democratic Party headquarters on Jan. 5.
The FBI said it believed the suspect had placed the bombs in Washington DC between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm, and that the suspect was wearing Nike Air Max Turf sneakers in yellow, black and gray. Authorities increased the reward for the information that led to the suspect’s arrest from $ 75,000 to $ 100,000.