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Rioters, including Aaron Mostofsky, right, identified in his arrest warrant, descend the stairs outside the Senate Chamber in the US Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021. | Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photo
NEW YORK – The son of a Brooklyn judge was arrested and charged with federal criminal charges for his participation in the pro-Trump seat on the U.S. Capitol last week.
Aaron Mostofsky appeared virtually in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday on a charge of theft of federal property and charges of illegally entering a restricted government building and disorderly conduct disrupting a session of Congress.
Mostofsky is the son of Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Shlomo Mostofsky, a leader of the city’s conservative Orthodox community. He is seen in photos inside the Capitol clad in fur skins, wearing a Capitol Police officer’s body armor and holding a Capitol Police riot shield.
He was released on $ 100,000 bail after agreeing not to attend political rallies or visit the State Capitol – and not to leave New York without judicial approval. He will stay with his brother in Brooklyn.
Mostofsky is accused of “taking part in what was a mob attack and rampage on the United States Capitol,” said Deputy US Attorney Josh Hafetz. “In view of the events of the past week, the government is deeply disturbed by the conduct of the accused.”
The accused’s lawyer, Jeffrey Schwartz, said he would avoid politics.
“The evidence will show that he was not part of the crowd and was not going wild,” Schwartz said.
“But he understands the gravity of what he is accused of. He understands how all of this in Washington has gotten totally out of hand, ”he added. “His only interest now is to deal with these accusations and hopefully get a just resolution.”
A criminal complaint cites an interview Mostofsky did with the New York Post from inside the Capitol, saying “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 felony of theft of federal government property a value over $ 1000.
The complaint also accuses that he posted photos and videos of the interior of the Capitol on his Instagram account. When another user sent him a message saying “” Your celebrity “he replied:” IK [I know] unfortunately. “He also wrote of his presence on Capitol Hill:” But it was like I was here now how did I get here. “
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