Two members of the far-right nationalist group Proud Boys were indicted on Friday in a federal court for conspiracy and colluding to prevent law enforcement and other charges related to their involvement in a deadly incident on the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Dominic Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, New York, and William Pepe, 31, of Beacon, New York, were first charged with criminal charges and arrested earlier this month, according to news reports from the U.S. Department of Justice.
What Are The Charges Against Them?
The suspects were charged in a DC court on Friday with charges of conspiracy, public nuisance, trespassing on buildings or premises, and disorderly conduct and improper conduct in federal buildings or premises.
Pezzola also faces charges of obstruction of federal and official meetings; additional counts of civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder;; robbery of the U.S. property; attacking, resisting or obstructing certain officials; destruction of state property; and engaging in physical violence on restricted premises or premises.
Pepe was working for the Metro Transit Authority who spent his sick day traveling to D.C. during the planned riots, according to an affidavit. The organization has suspended him.
Pezzola, a former US Marine, was recorded using a police shield to break a Capitol-building’s window. Eyewitnesses also told authorities that Pezzola, also known as “Spaz,” had said he would kill the then Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi if they were given the opportunity, according to an affidavit.
Prosecutors also claimed that Pezzola posted a video on social media smoking a cigarette inside the Capitol and said: “The smoke of victory at the Capitol, boys.”
Synopsis
- 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 riots on the Capitol on Jan 6.
- Dominic Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, New York, and William Pepe, 31, of Beacon, New York, were initially charged by criminal complaint and arrested earlier this month, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
- The men were indicted in D.C. federal court Friday on charges of conspiracy, civil disorder, unlawfully entering restricted buildings or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted buildings or grounds.
