Proud Boys organizer, rioter who attacked officer arrested
Win McNamee/Getty ImagesBy AARON KATERSKY, JULIA JACOBO and ALEXANDER MALLIN, ABC News
(WASHINGTON) — Federal authorities are continuing to charge rioters who took part in the siege on Capitol Hill.
These are the most recent charges:
Proud Boys organizer charged with joining the violence
One of the leaders of the Proud Boys, Joseph Biggs, was arrested Wednesday in Florida on charges related to the violence at the Capitol.
Biggs’ charging affidavit describes the Proud Boys’ planning leading up to the Capitol riot, including messages that were sent to the group by its leader Enrique Tarrio, who was arrested the day before the attack.
In one message, Tarrio allegedly encouraged the Proud Boys to not wear their traditional black and yellow colors so they could “be incognito and we will spread across downtown DC in smaller teams,” according to the court documents.
Biggs echoed that call in a separate message on Parler, directing his comments to Antifa, saying, “We will be blending in as one of you. You won’t see us. You’ll even think we are you … We are going to smell like you, move like you, and look like you. The only thing we’ll do that’s us is think like us!” the affidavit states.
Investigators identified Biggs in multiple photos and videos from the Jan. 6 insurrection, dressed in a blue and gray plaid sweater.
The affidavit notes that Proud Boys member Dominic Pezzola, who has already been indicted, joined Biggs in the riot and can be seen with an earpiece in his right ear, along with multiple individuals the FBI says were identified wearing earpieces from the Proud Boys.
In a Jan. 18 interview with the FBI, Biggs denied having any knowledge of a pre-planned attack on the Capitol and said he had no idea who planned it.
ABC News’ previous coverage has identified the Proud Boys as an “alt-right” or “far-right extremist group” that has engaged in violence and whose members include those with connections to white nationalism.
In the affidavit for Biggs’ arrest, an FBI agent describes the Proud Boys as “a nationalist organization with multiple U.S. chapters and potential activity in other Western countries.”
“The group describes itself as a ‘pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists,”‘ the affidavit says. “Proud Boys members routinely attend rallies, protests, and other First Amendment protected events, where certain of its members sometimes engage in acts of violence against individuals whom they perceive as threats to their values.”
Man who attacked Metropolitan Police officer
A Connecticut man who allegedly assaulted Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges has been arrested.
Hodges was the officer seen in video being smushed in the doorway and crying out for help.
Ridgefield resident Patrick McCaughey, who is a citizen of both the U.S. and Germany, is charged with assaulting a police officer, disorderly conduct and illegally being inside the U.S. Capitol, according to federal court documents.
McCaughey allegedly pinned Hodges to a door with a police shield, which McCaughey illegally obtained, court documents state.
“As McCaughey was using the riot shield to push against Officer Hodges, numerous other rioters behind and around McCaughey appeared to add to the weight against Officer Hodges,” the charging affidavit states.
McCaughey was identified by a childhood friend who called the FBI tipline. Security camera footage included in the affidavit also shows McCaughey allegedly holding a MPD riot shield.
The affidavit also states that the majority of McCaughey’s actions were captured on a YouTube video in which he can allegedly be heard saying, “Don’t try and use that stick on me boy” while continuing to push Hodges with shield. The “stick” he was referring to is believed to be Hodges’ police riot baton, the affidavit states.
He then allegedly began to strike officers with that shield.
McCaughey was ordered held without bail during his court appearance Wednesday.
A federal judge described the YouTube video as “extraordinarily disturbing,” saying it was sufficient evidence to keep him in custody.
Hodges told ABC News last week he thought he’d die as a result of the rioters’ actions.
“I thought, ‘This could be the end,’ or ‘I could not get out of this completely intact,'” he said.
Man who questioned FBI’s loyalty to the constitution
A Florida man was arrested Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia, for his alleged participation in the Capitol riot.
Samuel Camargo was identified by authorities based on tips provided by associates and his own social media posts, according to federal court documents.
The FBI contacted Camargo by phone, and in that conversation, Camargo allegedly admitted that he attended the protests in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 but had since returned to Broward County, Florida, according to the charging affidavit.
Camargo allegedly then became uncooperative in the interview, questioning the investigating agent’s loyalty to the constitution, court records state.
Apparently thinking the conversation had gone well, Camargo allegedly posted a message on social media stating, “Just finished speaking to an FBI agent, I believe I’ve been cleared.”
Camargo faces four charges, including civil disorder, entering a restricted building, disruptive conduct in a restricted building and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, the court documents state.
A New York man who allegedly brought firearms and a bulletproof vest to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 was arrested and charged.
Samuel Fisher allegedly posted a photo of himself holding a gun in front of a Trump flag with the caption, “Can’t wait to bring a liberal back to this freedom palace,” according to federal court documents.
After the riot, he allegedly posted a photo of multiple firearms on a couch, the FBI affidavit states.
Prosecutors pointed to multiple statements Fisher posted on social media that they say suggests he was prepared to engage in violence during the riot.
“We must stand up to these people and take our world back,” he allegedly wrote on Dec. 3, 2020.
In another post that same day, Fisher allegedly wrote, “It’s time to bring the pain upon them.”
On the day of the insurrection, Fisher allegedly posted, “I’m Going To the parking garage super early” and “Leaving s— in there maybe except pistol.”
He continued, “And if it kicks off I got a Vest and My Rifle.”
In a separate post, Fisher allegedly called on Trump to “fire the bat signal… deputize patriots… and then the pain comes.”
“1 Million Pissed off men with guns…bad idea,” Fisher allegedly wrote. “We aren’t looking to fight or hurt anyone… but the odds that this is going to be solved any other way… is next to nothing.”
Fisher was ordered held without bail during his court appearance Wednesday.
Authorities said during the hearing that they recovered a shotgun, knife, two machetes, two bulletproof vests and 1,000 rounds of ammunition, including shotgun shells and ammunition for an AR-15 in his Chevrolet Tahoe.
Two other firearms were also recovered during searches by federal investigators, prosecutors said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schrier said the amount of ammo and the number of guns is a concern to federal prosecutors.
Rioters from Michigan, Florida arrested
The Justice Department has announced the arrest of Karl Dresch in Michigan based on his own extensive documenting of his participation in the riot via social media, according to federal court documents.
In one comment on an unidentified post the day after the riot, Dresch wrote, “Mike Pence gave our country to the communist hordes, traitor scum like the rest of them, we have your back give the word and we will be back even stronger.” the affidavit states.
“We must stand up to these people and take our world back” / “It’s time to bring the pain upon them,” Fisher wrote on Dec. 3.
Jesus Rivera of Florida was also arrested Wednesday for his participation in the Jan. 6 riots.
Investigators cite videos Rivera uploaded to his Facebook Live of him joining the crowd that stormed the building.
1st conspiracy charges filed against Virginia man
The Justice Department has filed its first conspiracy charges from the Capitol riot against a Virginia man who they allege was an apparent leader of a group of militia members who were part of the mob that stormed the building.
Thomas Edward Caldwell is identified in an FBI affidavit as a member of the Oath Keepers. An agent alleges that he helped organize a group of eight to 10 of his fellow members to storm the Capitol with the intention of disrupting the counting of the Electoral College vote.
The group can be seen in video walking uniformly through a crowd of rioters trying to gain entrance to the Capitol.
Those members included co-conspirators Jessica Watkins and Donovan Crowl, who were charged for their role in the riots earlier this week. In social media posts, both Crowl and Watkins referred to Caldwell as “Commander,” according to the court documents.
While inside the Capitol, Caldwell allegedly received Facebook messages telling him to “seal” in lawmakers in the tunnels under the Capitol and to “turn on gas.” Other messages appeared to be trying to give him updates on the locations of lawmakers, the affidavit states.
Other texts reveal the extensive planning and even potential attacks that he and other members of the Oath Keepers were mounting leading up to the riots.
On Jan. 1, Caldwell allegedly messaged an individual recommending a room at the Comfort Inn Ballston in Arlington, Virginia, saying, “This is a good location and would allow us to hunt at night if we wanted to.”
After the riot, Caldwell allegedly posted a Facebook message stating, “Us storming the castle. Please share. Sharon was right with me! I am such an instigator!” the affidavit states. He later wrote, “We need to do this at the local level. Lets storm the capitol in Ohio. Tell me when!”
Man seen wearing ‘Murder the Media’ shirt
A rioter who posed in front of the U.S. Capitol while wearing a shirt with the words “Murder the Media” emblazoned on it has been charged with illegally entering the Capitol. The phrase had also been etched onto a door inside the building, according to federal court documents.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Nicholas DeCarlo admitted that he entered the Capitol, but said he did so as a “journalist.”
The charging documents against DeCarlo state that he is not on record as a credited journalist.
Rioter seen attacking police with a bat
A man who was captured on surveillance video attacking law enforcement with a bat at the entrance of the Capitol turned himself in to the Metropolitan Police Department on Monday.
Emanuel Jackson is allegedly the rioter seen in photos the FBI released to the public, according to federal court documents.
On the surveillance video, Jackson is allegedly seen making a fist and repeatedly striking a Capitol police officer while attempting to force himself into the building, his arrest affidavit states.
Later, he is “clearly observed” with a metal baseball bat striking a group of both Capitol and D.C. police officers, according to the court document.
It is unclear whether Jackson has retained an attorney.
Houston police officer
A longtime Houston Police officer who resigned after he participated in the riot has been federally changed.
Tam Dinh Pham initially denied his involvement in the siege when he was interviewed at his home in Richmond on Jan. 12, according to court documents.
After the interview, Pham agreed to hand over his cellphone, which investigators noticed had no photos from Jan. 6, the affidavit states. However, the “Deleted Items” folder contained photos and images of him inside the Capitol building.
When agents advised Pham that it is illegal to lie to the FBI, he admitted that he was part of the crowd that stormed into the Capitol but denied taking part in any violence, according to the court documents.
Woman in Louis Vuitton sweater
A woman has been charged for participating in the riot after at least six people identified her by the Louis Vuitton sweater she was wearing that day.
In one video, Gina Bisignano allegedly was seen taking part in a skirmish with police trying to protect the Capitol building, according to an FBI affidavit.
Bisignano was allegedly part of a crowd that crushed a screaming police officer while a rioter grabbed his gas mask. At one point, Bisignano allegedly told the officer, “You hurt my f—— leg,” the court documents state.
In a separate video, Bisignano is allegedly seen feet away from police, telling them to stand down.
“We the people are not going to take it any more,” she could be heard saying in another video, according to the affidavit. “You are not going to take away our votes. And our freedom, and I thank God for it. This is 1776, and we the people will never give up. We will never let our country go to the globalists.”
After entering the Capitol, Bisignano was allegedly heard telling other rioters, “We need Americans. Come on guys. We needs patriots! You guys, it’s the way in. We need some people.”
2 Texas rioters, including a former Marine, accused of violence
Two Texas men have both been arrested over their roles in the violence at the Capitol, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Ryan Nichols and Alex Harkrider were identified from photos they posted to their social media accounts, along with several threatening messages calling for a violent overthrow of the government, according to an arrest affidavit.
In one video posted online, Nichols, a former Marine, can allegedly be seen yelling into a bullhorn in the direction of a large crowd, saying, “If you have a weapon, you need to get your weapon!” the federal court document states.
Nichols also allegedly said “This is the second revolution right here folks!” and “This is not a peaceful protest,” according to the affidavit.
Both Nichols, 30, and Harkrider, 33, are seen in videos trying to force entry into the building, with Nichols allegedly spraying what appears to be a large canister of pepper spray in the direction of officers. Nichols was also allegedly in possession of a crowbar, the court document states.
The FBI also noted several other social posts from Nichols, including one on Dec. 24 that showed a bullet and stated, “By Bullet or Ballot, Restoration of the Republic is Coming,” according to the affidavit. Another post on Dec. 28 stated, “Pence better do the right thing, or we’re going to MAKE you do the right thing.”
Nichols was once featured on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” in 2018 after he drove 18 hours to rescue dogs before Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina.
It is unclear whether Nichols and Harkrider have retained attorneys.
Member of extremist group Three Percenters
Robert Gieswein — part of the Oath-keepers, an extremist group related to The Three Percenters — was charged with assaulting a federal officer with bear spray and a baseball bat.
According to court documents, Gieswein “encouraged other rioters as they broke a window of the Capitol building; entered … and then charged through the Capitol building.”
An FBI affidavit confirmed that Gieswein runs a private paramilitary training group called the Woodland Wild Dogs and that he was identified from a patch for that group that was visible on a tactical vest he wore during the attack on Congress.
The affidavit said Gieswein gave a media interview echoing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and that Congress needs “to get the corrupt politicians out of office. Pelosi, the Clintons … every single one of them, Biden, Kamala.”
Retired NYFD firefighter
Freeport, New York, resident Thomas Fee surrendered to the FBI Tuesday morning at the bureau’s resident agency on Long Island.
Fee, a retired NYFD firefighter, allegedly sent a relative of his girlfriend a selfie of himself inside the Capitol, prosecutors said. He’s been charged by authorities.
In the text message, Fee, 53, allegedly wrote that he was “at the tip of the spear,” a reference to the Capitol rotunda, according to the court documents.
Fee drove to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, and a license plate reader in New York picked up the Chevy Tahoe he was driving upon his return on Jan. 7, the court documents state.
At his court appearance Tuesday, a judge ordered Fee to avoid all political gatherings and to avoid the U.S. Capitol and all state capitols upon his release. He must also surrender his two guns — a pistol grip shotgun and an antique rifle.
Federal prosecutors also recommended evaluation and treatment for substance abuse and mental health treatment.
Fee posted his home as collateral for her $100,000 bond.
It is unclear whether Fee has retained an attorney.
Former FIT student
Nicholas Moncada, a 20-year-old former student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, was taken into custody at his Staten Island home Monday. He allegedly livestreamed his “storming” of the Capitol on Jan. 6, prosecutors said.
Moncada allegedly also posted a selfie of himself inside the Capitol, captioning it, “Outside Pelosi’s office.”
He was recognized by fellow FIT students, who then alerted the FBI to his involvement, according to the court documents.
During an appearance in a Brooklyn federal court Tuesday, Moncada was ordered to stay away from potentially antagonizing political events and speech after his release on $250,000 bond. His travel is also restricted to New York and Washington, D.C.
“There’s obviously troubling conduct here,” Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kessler said, though he noted the government did not object to Moncada’s release on bond.
The bond was signed by Moncada’s mother, grandmother and aunt.
Moncada was an illustration major, but had not been enrolled at the school since May 2020 and did not receive a degree, a spokesperson for FIT told ABC News.
In a statement to ABC News Monday, Moncada’s attorney, Mario Gallucci, said he is not facing any violent charges.
“Mr. Moncada was taken into custody this morning by the FBI and has been charged with various sections of the United States Code for trespassing inside a restricted building and trying to disrupt or impeded the conduct of Government business, as well as, trespassing on the floor of various Government rooms including the House of Congress, the lobby adjacent to the floor and the Rayburn Room of the House of Congress,” Galluci said. “I do not believe he is being charged with committing any acts of violence. Mr. Moncada denies any participation in the effort to overthrow the Government, and he looks forward to defending his good name.”
Dozens of rioters who participated in the siege have already been taken into custody.
Last week, the man seen wearing a “Camp Auschwitz” hoodie, Olympic gold medalist swimmer Klete Keller and several members of law enforcement were arrested in connection to the riot.
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