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Federal prosecutors announced on Friday evening the first conspiracy charges against members of the Proud Boys over the group’s role in the deadly Jan.6 riot on Capitol Hill.
Prosecutors said in a press release that two members of the far-right “chauvinist Western” group conspired to obstruct law enforcement efforts to shield the Capitol from the crowds. The members, Dominic Pezzola of Rochester, New York, and William Pepe of Beacon, NY, had previously been charged with lesser offenses because of their activities on January 6.
The new charges represented a substantial step forward in prosecutors’ actions against members of Proud Boys. More than 170 people have been charged with the riot, though most have been on minor allegations such as disorderly behavior and illegal entry.
Conspiracy charges have also previously been reported against three members of the Oath Keepers militia group for their alleged role in the Capitol Hill chaos.
Prosecutors said Pezzola and Pepe “engaged in a conspiracy to obstruct, influence, hinder and interfere with law enforcement officers engaged in their official duties of protecting the United States Capitol and its grounds on January 6. 2021 ”.
“It is alleged that Pezzola and Pepe took steps to evade and render ineffective the protective equipment deployed by the Capitol Police as part of active riot control measures, including actions to remove temporary metal barricades erected by the Capitol police in order to control access to the Capitol grounds. , and theft and theft of property belonging to the Capitol Police, ”the Justice Department said in the press release.
Pezzola also reportedly ripped off a riot shield from a Capitol Police officer as the officer attempted to repel rioters. Files recovered when FBI agents raided his home indicated that he had examined “Advanced Improvised Explosives”, “Blasting Dust” and “Ragnar’s Homemade Weapons Ledger.”
Michael Scibetta, Pezzola’s attorney, told The New York Times on Friday night that he had yet to see the new conspiracy charges and was prohibited from seeing his client.
“The question is evolving,” said Scibetta.
The Proud Boys, a group known for espousing racist views, gained national notoriety after videos of members engaged in fierce street fighting with members of Antifa, the cowardly collection of anti-fascist agitators, were released. Their profile only grew when the former President Trump
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They drew the attention of prosecutors after videos showed members witnessed the riots that resulted in the deaths of several people.
At least four other members of the Proud Boys have so far been indicted for the insurgency, which has tried unsuccessfully to stop Congressional certification of Electoral College results showing Trump losing to President Biden.
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