Capitol riots: How many arrests so far?

  • 2021-01-13 14:01:39
It's been nearly a week since the Capitol Hill riot - so how much progress have law enforcement made with bringing the perpetrators to justice? How many arrests so far? More than 160 case files have been opened and 70 people charged so far, said Michael Sherwin, US Attorney for the District of Columbia on Tuesday. Some of the misdemeanor charges filed so far are "just the beginning", he said, with officials looking at "significant felony cases" tied to sedition and conspiracy. On Sunday, the Department of Justice announced the arrests of two men who were allegedly pictured bringing plastic restraints into the Capitol. Authorities say Eric Gavelek Munchel is the individual seen carrying a number of plastic zip ties inside the Senate chamber. He was detained in Tennessee. Larry Rendell Brock, who is accused of entering the Capitol with a white flex cuff - a restraining device used by law enforcement - was arrested in Texas. His ex-wife turned him in. "When I saw this was happening, I was afraid he would be there," she told investigators, describing how she felt when she heard about the riots. Then she saw the images, and she recognised her former husband: "It is such a good picture of him." So far, neither has been accused of plotting to use the restraints, but face disorderly conduct and violent entry charges. The FBI is still seeking dozens more individuals and has asked the public to help identify and locate them. What are law enforcement saying about progress? Steven D'Antuono, the head of the FBI's Washington field office, told reporters on Tuesday that they have been inundated with information and tips from the public: so far, they have received about 100,000 videos and photos. Justice Department officials said they are considering filing serious charges of seditious activity against some individuals who were involved in the siege on the Capitol. According to federal criminal code, seditious conspiracy means an effort to conspire to overthrow the US government. The punishment is severe: up to 20 years in prison. US Attorneys in Ohio, Minnesota, Kentucky and other states have also pledged to prosecute anyone who travelled from their regions to take part in the riot.

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