NJ Man Assaulted Cops With 'Chemical' At Capitol Riots: Feds

MIDDLESEX COUNTY — A North Brunswick man who allegedly used a "chemical irritant" to attack officers is the latest to be charged in the deadly Capitol riots that took place on Jan 6, according to federal prosecutors.

Authorities said Christopher Joseph Quaglin, 35, was seen “repeatedly assaulting multiple law enforcement officers guarding the Capitol.”

The affidavit also alleged that Quaglin was caught on video spraying officers with a “chemical irritant.”

In their criminal complaint, authorities said that Quaglin was seen taking officers’ protective shields and passing them to other rioters. He later used one of the shields to attack an officer, said the affidavit.

Quaglin was arrested Wednesday morning on charges that include assaulting an officer and civil disorder.

Body camera and surveillance footage captured Quaglin in a red, white, and blue shirt, a black helmet with a camera and a gas mask, according to court documents.

Quaglin went on an expletive-filled rant against Metropolitan Police Officers and was recorded assaulting many officers, according to federal authorities.

Quaglin was at the front line of the "rioters attempting to get past the law enforcement officers guarding the Lower West Terrace" of the Capitol, said court documents.

After the attempted insurrection, Quaglin bragged about his participation on social media. He identified himself as Chris Trump on Facebook and broadcast the riots live.

"When you guys see the footage, I was the guy in the red, white and blue uhh hoodie and black helmet... I'm absolutely on a loop on Fox News... I got punched pretty good... It was a great time, I got bumps and bruises," he said in one of his videos, according to the complaint.

An electrician by profession who’s been out of work, Quaglin was identified by anonymous tipsters, said authorities.

After the riots, federal authorities said Quaglin visited the FBI page dedicated to the capitol riots several times and googled “guy gets bear sprayed at capital.”

On Jan 20, the day of President Joe Biden's inauguration, Quaglin visited a website titled, “Countries where you can buy citizenship, residency, or passport,” according to court documents.

Quaglin is among more than a dozen New Jersey residents facing federal charges for their participation in the Jan 6 riots.

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