Federal Charges Filed As FBI Continues Capitol Riot Investigation

WASHINGTON, DC — Dozens of people have been charged with federal crimes amid an ongoing investigation into last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol. Others have been charged in state and local courts, according to the Department of Justice.

The FBI investigation into the Capitol siege is centered on whether some rioters intended to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage, according to a report from The Associated Press.

Authorities are particularly focused on why some in the mob were seen carrying plastic zip-tie handcuffs and had apparently accessed areas of the Capitol generally difficult for the public to locate, the report states.

The FBI, in a statement, said it has "deployed our full investigative resources and are working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to aggressively pursue those involved in criminal activity during the events of Jan. 6."

Specifically, the FBI is looking to identify a man seen carrying a Confederate flag through the halls of the Capitol, according to CNN.

About 120 people have been either arrested or identified as riot participants through photos and videos, The Hill reported on Monday. FBI officials said the following day charges have been filed against about 70. Eighteen had been named publicly as of Tuesday afternoon.

An AP analysis of social media posts, voter registrations and court files show most are known longtime supporters of President Donald Trump.

Jake Angeli of Arizona has been identified as the man who entered the Capitol building shirtless and dressed in horns, a bearskin headdress and in red, white and blue face paint, the Justice Department said. He was charged with "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds."

Derrick Evans, a 35-year-old elected member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, has been charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol Grounds.

The Justice Department said Evans streamed live to his Facebook page "a video of himself joining and encouraging a crowd unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol."

"In the video, Evans is allegedly seen crossing the threshold of the doorway into the U.S. Capitol and shouting, “We’re in, we’re in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!”

Evans has since resigned from his elected role.

Adam Johnson of Florida is the man who removed the Speaker of the House's lectern and was shown carrying it inside the Capitol, the Justice Department said. He has been charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, one count of theft of government property and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Richard Barnett of Arkansas is accused of entering a restricted area for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He faces charges of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and theft of public money, property, or records.

Cleveland Meredith has been charged with making interstate threats against Pelosi.

Here are some others who have been charged as of Monday afternoon, according to the Justice Department:

• Lonnie Coffman of Alabama, charged with possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device) and carrying a pistol without a license. Authorities have said Coffman’s vehicle had 11 Molotov cocktails and firearms. He is also accused of possessing two firearms.
• Mark Leffingwell, charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; assault on a federal law enforcement officer; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Leffingwell is accused of entering the Senate side of the Capitol and when, stopped by law enforcement, struck an officer in the helmet and chest.
• Christopher Alberts of Maryland, charged with carrying or having readily accessible, on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol building, a firearm and ammunition — specifically, a Taurus G2C, 9mm handgun and 9mm caliber ammunition.
• Matthew Council of Florida, charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Council is accused of pushing a police officer after entering the Capitol building.
• Larry Rendell Brock of Texas, charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
• Eric Gavelek Munchel of Tennessee, charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
• Joshua Pruitt, charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority.

Coffman and Leffingwell were the first two to face indictments in connection with the Capitol attack, CNN reported Tuesday.

Six others — Cindy Fitchett of Virginia, Michael Curzio of Florida, Douglas Sweet of Florida, Bradley Ruskelas of Illinois, Terry Brown of Pennsylvania and Thomas Gallagher — were charged federally with "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds" and "violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds."

FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Steven D'Antuono said Tuesday there have been 160 case files opened in the six days since the insurrection. He credited the public's submission of more than 100,000 pieces of digital media in advancing these cases.

The FBI is "scouring every one for investigative and intelligence leads," D'Antuono said.

Michael Sherwin, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said the investigation could go on for months. The rioters "range of criminal conduct is unmatched," he said.

Those charged in state and local courts face unlawful entry, curfew violations and firearms-related crimes, according to the Justice Department.

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