Far-right pro-Trump activist Daniel Rodriguez bragged about attacking police and breaking into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
A far-right pro-Trump activist from Southern California pleaded guilty Tuesday to using a Taser on D.C. police officer Michael Fanone as he was dragged down the steps of the U.S. Capitol in one of the most violent assaults in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.
Daniel Rodriguez, 40, of the Los Angeles area, admitted to shocking Fanone in the base of his neck as he was pulled out of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel and into the crowd. Fanone lost consciousness and was stripped of his badge and gun; he suffered a heart attack and a traumatic brain injury.
“Omg I did so much f—ing s— rn and got away tell you later,” Rodriguez admitted texting a Telegram group, adding that he “tazzed the f— out of the blue.” He and others formed the Telegram group, called the Patriots 45 MAGA Gang.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to five felony counts including conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, obstruction of justice and assaulting a law enforcement officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
At sentencing May 16, he faces a recommended penalty of either between 6½ years to eight years in prison or eight to 10 years in prison — depending on whether his assault is found to have occurred while his police victim was under restraint, according to a plea deal with prosecutors.
According to court filings, Rodriguez attended pro-Trump rallies and pandemic protests in Southern California, where he became acquainted with co-defendant Edward Badalian and Beverly Hills salon owner Gina Bisignano, as first reported by HuffPost. Rodriguez told the FBI after Jan.
