One of those charged was filmed smashing his way into the Capitol using a Capitol Police riot shield.
Members of the far-right street fighting Proud Boys organization have been charged in relation to the storming of the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, with prosecutors alleging two members worked together to obstruct law enforcement trying to defend the building as lawmakers certified the results of the November election. The Department of Justice said Friday that two Proud Boy members have been indicted in Washington, D.C. “for conspiring to obstruct law enforcement, among other charges.” Dominic Pezzola,43, of Rochester, New York, and William Pepe,31, of Beacon, New York, were named as the two Proud Boys members. They were charged with conspiracy; civil disorder; unlawfully entering restricted buildings or grounds; and disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted buildings or grounds. Pezzola was also indicted for obstruction of an official proceeding, robbery of personal property of the United States, assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, destruction of government property, among other charges. Pezzola and Pepe were part of the first wave of rioters to smash their way into the Capitol building, sending lawmakers fleeing the chambers to safety.
