Staff Report –

Two off-duty Rocky Mount, Virginia police officers were charged this week in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

Jacob Fracker and Thomas Robertson were charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Both defendants were arrested on January 13 in Virginia.

During the violent events at the U.S. Capitol, Fracker and Robertson were photographed in the Capitol building making an obscene gesture in front of the statue of John Stark, a New Hampshire native who served as an officer in the British Army during the French and Indian war and a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He became widely known as the “Hero of Bennington” for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.

On social media, Robertson is quoted as saying, “CNN and the Left are just mad because we actually attacked the government who is the problem and not some random small business … The right IN ONE DAY took the f***** U.S. Capitol. Keep poking us.”

He also stated that he was “proud” of the photo on an Instagram post that was shared to Facebook, because he was “willing to put skin in the game.”

On Facebook, Fracker posted a comment that read, “Lol to anyone who’s possibly concerned about the picture of me going around… Sorry I hate freedom? …Not like I did anything illegal…y’all do what you feel you need to.” The post has since been deleted.

These cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia. The cases are being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the United States Capitol Police.

Man Wanted in U.S. Capitol Siege Arrested in Florida

On the afternoon of Thursday, January 14, Michael Curzio of Summerfield, Florida, was taken into custody by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office during a joint operation with the FBI Jacksonville Division, and in coordination with the FBI Washington Field Office.

Curzio was among the first individuals to be charged federally for his role in the riot and assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

The charges, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia on January 7, included knowingly entering or remaining in a 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.

“The FBI respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights, but we will not tolerate those who seek to incite violence or wreak havoc on our established institutions,” said Rachel L. Rojas, special agent in charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “We will continue to hold accountable those who were responsible for last week’s violent actions, and coordinate with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure safety in all North Florida communities in the future.

The FBI expressed its gratitude to partners at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for their diligence and assistance in locating Michael Curzio, bringing them one step closer toward justice. We encourage anyone with information about individuals who incited or promoted violence of any kind during the siege, to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit photos and video to www.fbi.gov/USCapitol.

Seven More Charged in Federal Court Following Events At the United Capitol

Seven more individuals have been charged in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with crimes committed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

Robert Keith Packer was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry or disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Packer was arrested in Virginia.

Nicholas Rodean was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without law authority; one count of knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on capitol grounds; and one count of and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the capitol buildings. Rodean was arrested in Washington, D.C.

Aaron Mostofsky was charged with one felony count of theft of government property. He was arrested in New York City.

William Pepe was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without law authority. Pepe was arrested in New York.

Andrew Williams was charged with one count of unlawful entry of a restricted building and one count of disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Williams was arrested in Florida.

Josiah Colt, of Meridian, Idaho, was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Colt was arrested in Idaho.

Kevin Loftus was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without law authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Loftus was arrested in Wisconsin.

Two Delaware Men Charged in Federal Court Following Events at the United States Capitol

Kevin Seefried and Hunter Seefried were charged today in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

Kevin Seefried and Hunter Seefried each were charged by complaint with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and one count of depredation of government property. Both defendants were taken into custody in Delaware. During the events at the U.S. Capitol, Kevin Seefried and Hunter Seefried entered the Senate Building through a broken window and, shortly thereafter, Kevin Seefried was photographed holding a Confederate Battle flag inside the Capitol Building.

Retired Pennsylvania Fire Fighter Arrested and Charged for Actions at the U.S. Capitol

A retired Pennsylvania firefighter was charged and arrested in Pennsylvania in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week.

Robert Sanford, 55, of Boothwyn, PA, was charged by criminal complaint with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly or disruptive conduct on capitol grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers while engaged in the performance of official duties.

During the events at the U.S. Capitol, Sanford struck three U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers with a fire extinguisher. A video, recorded by an individual who was present in the crowd, captures when a man throws what appears to be a fire extinguisher at a group of USCP officers protecting the lower west terrace of the Capitol.

The fire extinguisher struck one officer, who was wearing a helmet, in the head; then, the fire extinguisher ricochets striking a second officer, who was not wearing a helmet, in the head; and ricochets a third time and strikes a third officer, wearing a helmet, in the head. After throwing the fire extinguisher at USCP, Sanford leaves the area in the opposite direction. Federal authorities were able to identify Sanford, after receiving a tip on January 12.

Utah Man Charged in Federal Court Following Events at the United States Capitol

A Utah man was charged in federal court on Friday in the District of Columbia in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

John Earle Sullivan was charged by complaint with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and one count of interfering with law enforcement engaged in the lawful performance of their official duties incident to and during the commission of civil disorder. The defendant was arrested in Utah.

The complaint alleges that during the events at the U.S. Capitol, Sullivan, wearing a ballistics vest and gas mask, entered the U.S. Capitol through a window that had been broken out, pushing past U.S. Capitol Police once inside. The Complaint also alleges that Sullivan admits to filming and being depicted in video footage that shows him present, outside of the Speaker’s Lobby within the U.S. Capitol, at the shooting of a woman by a U.S. Capitol Police officer.

In addition, three defendants previously charged by criminal complaint have been indicted in federal court in the District of Columbia: Lonnie Coffman, Jacob Chansley and Mark Leffingwell.

Richard Barnett, who was arrested on Jan. 8, was charged in an amended complaint yesterday with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without law authority; one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on capitol grounds; and one count of theft of public money, property or records.

Additional complaints have been submitted in federal court and investigations are ongoing. As previously reported, approximately 40 individuals were arrested and charged in Superior Court with offenses including, but not limited to, unlawful entry, curfew violations and firearms-related crimes.

The cases are being prosecuted by the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. The cases are being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the U.S. Capitol Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by: the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York; the FBI’s New York Field Office; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin; the FBI’s Milwaukee Field Office; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida; the FBI’s Tampa Field Office; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho; the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Maryland; and the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office.

The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.

The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or s ubmit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.