Dozens of people arrested in the siege at the U.S. Capitol have apologized and expressed regret … Some Capitol riot suspects apologize as consequences sink in. U.S. Del. U.S. Charges Seattle-based Proud Boys Member for Role in Capitol Riots . If you aren’t a subscriber, please consider a digital subscription. If you aren’t a subscriber, please consider a digital subscription. Pezzola had "honorable intentions, believing he was protecting his country from a 'stolen election' by corrupt powers," his attorney wrote. Furthermore, Zucker offered, "Defendant’s family has expressed the opinion that defendant’s computer technology skills are so rudimentary that he could not open the thumb drive by himself if he wanted to.". Follow him on Twitter @willcleveland13, Facebook @willcleveland13, and Instagram @clevelandroc. MORE STORIES. Skip To Content. Officials say Pezzola turned himself in Friday. The Rochester man accused of leading the charge in the storming of the United States Capitol on Jan. 6 said he was deceived and duped by President Donald Trump in court paperwork filed by his counsel Wednesday. He was responding to the entreaties of the then commander in chief, President Trump. Dominic Pezzola, William Pepe, members of the Proud Boys face conspiracy charges in Capitol riot Two men identified as members of the Proud Boys have been indicted on federal conspiracy and other charges in the Capitol riot as prosecutors raise the stakes in some of the slew of cases stemming from the Jan. 6 insurrection. "The defendant's actions in breaking the window to the U.S. Capitol, allowing the first group of rioters to stream through, cannot be overstated," Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik M. Kenerson wrote in the detention filing. A federal prosecutor has said Rochester man Dominic Pezzola, a member of the Proud Boys, "committed a federal crime of terrorism and two crimes of violence" when Pezzola stole a police officer's riot shield and then used it to smash open a window during the U.S. Capitol riots Jan. 6. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Pezzola was ordered to be detained without bail pending his trial, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin Meriweather ruled Wednesday. Mr. Pezzola was filmed using a … Prosecutors argued Pezzola is a danger to the community and a serious flight risk. Pezzola is charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, destruction of government property, and restricted buildings or grounds. Pezzola attended a Make American Great Again rally in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 12, 2020, which was just after he was introduced to the Proud Boys, Zucker wrote. Dominic Pezzola Age. "He is clearly not oriented toward a criminal lifestyle," Zucker offered. Pezzola is one of at least nine people charged in the Capitol riots who received government loans to aid their small businesses during the pandemic, according to The Daily Beast, which first reported this Pezzola update. In a 15-page motion for release, Zucker said his client was deceived by Trump and "acted out of delusional belief" in response to calls by the former president. Dominic Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, New York, and William Pepe, 31, of Beacon, New York, face multiple charges in the indictment. News Sports Life Business Flavors USA TODAY Obituaries E … Dominic Pezzola 44-AFO #Spazzo. What we know about Dominic Pezzola, a "talented" high school boxer who led a raid on the Capitol. An FBI witness claims Veep Mike Pence was the kill target by the Proud Boys during the deadly Capitol Riots on Jan. 6., according to reports.. Dominic Pezzola, charged in the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, received a payroll protection program loan to help his small business. Pezzola is being detained without bail pending the outcome of his trial after U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled Pezzola “was the tip of a spear that pierced the United States Capitol.". If convicted, Pezzola faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He’s accused of smashing a window at the U.S. Capitol, smoking a cigar inside the building, and threatening to kill former Vice President Mike Pence. Pezzola, whom authorities allege is a member of the Proud Boys, a white nationalist political organization, allegedly knocked over barriers outside the Capitol, seized a riot shield from a Capitol police officer, and then used the shield to smash a window at the Capitol building that provided access to a wave of rioters. https://news.yahoo.com/federal-conspiracy-charges-2-proud-180152272.html Hyperlocal news, alerts, discussions and events for Port Chester, NY The only act that seems to distinguish defendant from thousands of other participants is that he used a shield to break a window and he, along with hundreds if not thousands, actually entered the capital (sic).". © 2021 www.democratandchronicle.com. Here are 13 more things about him: He lives in Rochester, New York. Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, New York, and of Beacon, New York, are also accused of rioting. Dominic Pezzola, 43, was arrested January 15th after a widely circulated video appeared to show him allegedly using a shield to break a window and … As a retired Marine corporal, Pezzola possessed firearms many years ago in connection with his military service. Among those leading the assault were former Army combat veteran Jason Biggs, former Marine Dominic Pezzola and William Pepe. Instead, Zucker depicted Pezzola as acting "out of a delusional belief that he was a 'patriot' protecting his country.". Dominic Pezzola, 43, is charged with the destruction of government property, ... and his Facebook posts reflected that. 14 talking about this. A lawyer for Dominic Pezzola, ... was on Facebook a day later with his apology. Legal Documents. "The defendant's actions show planning, determination, and coordination. © 2021 www.democratandchronicle.com. "Upon information and belief, his only other activity as a Proud Boy was discussing politics over drinks at bars on occasion," Zucker wrote. His defense attorney argued there is no proof the documents were ever accessed. Meriweather determined Pezzola, if released, would potentially engage in future activities against the Capitol or other buildings. Zucker asked that Pezzola be released on his own recognizance or to the custody of his common-law wife for house arrest. Note that Minuta was hanging out with Proud Boy Dominic Pezzola in that December MAGA event. In addition to Pence, the FBI witness said the far-right group also planned on targeting Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Tankleff represents a handful of Capitol riot defendants, including alleged Proud Boy “warrior” Dominic Pezzola; ... All Indiana Facebook. The Department of Justice announced Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, two New York men identified as members of … Zucker also said there is no evidence Pezzola participated in the planning of the events, "nor that he played any role as a leader instructing others in what to do during the event, merely that he was one of the allegedly thousands who participated in the event. The filing came on the second day of the second impeachment trial of the former president. Prosecutors say Dominic Pezzola was filmed using a stolen police riot shield to smash through a window of the U.S. Capitol. "Defendant is former military who is sworn to protect his country. Both may be true. Reporting To You. Dominic Pezzola was arrested in January. Thanks to our subscribers for supporting quality local journalism. Subscribe to Blog via Email. Facebook पर VICE को और देखें ... VICE News has identified Dominic Pezzola as “Spazzo,” a member of the Proud Boys who is wanted by the FBI for his critical role in the breach that occurred on Capitol Hill. According to the filing, Pezzola has worked as a flooring contractor since his honorable discharge from the Marines. He, … Pezzola was also among a group of people who expressed a desire to kill Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Vice President Mike Pence, according to a witness quoted in the criminal complaint. According to ProPublica's coronavirus bailout database, Pezzola applied for and received $12,502 from the Small Business Administration through the Paycheck Protection Program to help protect two jobs at his construction company, D Pezzola Flooring. Zucker said Pezzola has limited involvement with the Proud Boys, a white national political organization categorized as a hate group by the Southern Law Poverty Center. Dominic Pezzola, 43, was arraigned Tuesday on 11 charges, including conspiracy and assaulting, resisting, or impeding a United Stated Capitol police officer. Last month, the government secured an indictment against two other Proud Boy members - Dominic Pezzola and William Pepe - on charges they conspired to impede Capitol Police on Jan.6 FBI agents recovered the thumb drive after executing a search warrant on Pezzola's Rochester home on Jan. 15, the day he was also arrested. possessed a thumb drive containing instructions on how to make homemade firearms, poisons, and explosives, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Owen says a classmate of Pezzola told her, "He had a … Dominic Pezzola, a former Marine facing charges for storming the U.S. Capitol, was "duped" by former President Trump into believing it was his duty to act, his lawyer told a federal court Wednesday. The former Marine is accused of using a Capitol Police riot shield to break an exterior window, allowing unfettered access to the interior of the building for rioters. ... Facebook; My Tweets. According to ProPublica's coronavirus bailout database, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The loan was approved April 28, 2020, and administered through ESL Federal Credit Union. entering illegally regulated buildings or properties; and disorderly and disturbing driving in buildings or on confined terrain. Federal public defender Jonathan Zucker, who is representing Pezzola, said his client's "beliefs were not rationally based" and added Pezzola was "not acting out of criminal intent." Zucker concluded, "Hopefully, as a result of this experience he has learned not be so gullible and will not be so easily duped again.". They originally … Thanks to our subscribers for supporting quality local journalism. Zucker requested his client be released on house arrest "with reasonable curfew privileges that allow him to leave the house for work and activities related to this case.". Zucker said "the prosecution’s memorandum must be examined for what it does not allege." "Rather he has consistently made his living through honest lawful work.". Rochester Man: Dominic Pezzola Arrested and Charged with Destroying Property and Obstruction of Congressional Proceedings. His wife previously worked with Monroe County's pre-trial services program as a supervisor. Dominic Pezzola, 44 of Rochester and class of 1995 graduate of the Aquinas Institute, is charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, destruction of government property, and restricted buildings or grounds. Dominic Pezzola was caught on camera smashing a Capitol window with a police shield, the FBI found. Federal authorities included these photos in a criminal complaint against Dominic Pezzola of Rochester which they say show him using a plastic police shield to break a window at the Capitol on Jan. 6. The Rochester man accused of leading the charge in the storming of the United States Capitol on Jan. 6 received a pandemic payroll loan to protect his small business, a database reveals. ... Share to Facebook … Now, many of those arrested say it’s his fault. Federal prosecutors on Jan. 15 announced charges against Dominic Pezzola, a former United States Marine from Rochester. This included no claims that Pezzola ever physically injured anyone on Jan. 6 or that he attempted to hurt anyone. But Zucker pointed out no firearms, weapons or explosives were found in his home after the FBI executed a search warrant there. How to use smash in a sentence. Prosecutors said Dominic Pezzola was the cigar-smoking insurrectionist from January 20. The Zone Extra: April 15, 2021. Stacey Plaskett, D-Virgin Island, one of the house impeachment managers, specifically named Pezzola during her presentation as she introduced new video evidence at Trump's trial. Evidence shows Pezzola came to Washington “as a key member of a broader conspiracy to effectively steal one of our Nation’s crown jewels: the peaceful transition of power," Kelly wrote. One Of The Proud Boys Who Stormed The Capitol Had Instructions For Making Guns And Bombs In His Home, FBI Says. Federal prosecutors today unsealed a three-count complaint against Dominic Pezzola, a 43-year-old Proud Boy from Rochester, New York. The President maintained that the election had been stolen and it was the duty of loyal citizens to 'stop the steal,'" Zucker argued. Smash definition is - a smashing blow or attack. Zucker outlined his client's disavowal of Trump and stated Pezzola's involvement with the Proud Boys was minimal. Contact Will Cleveland at wcleveland@gannett.com. Dominic Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, New York, and William Pepe, 31, of Beacon, New York, were indicted today in federal court in the District of Columbia on charges of conspiracy; civil disorder; unlawfully entering restricted buildings or grounds; and disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted buildings or grounds. In total, those people received more than $227,000. Some of the documents on the thumb drive were titled "Advanced Improvised Explosives" and "Ragnar's Big Book of Homemade Weapons." A Proud Boy who led the Capitol break-in had bomb-making manuals on his computer, feds say. Dominic Pezzola was taken into custody Friday morning and has been charged with smashing a window at the Capitol, according to an FBI affidavit. Dominic Pezzola was caught on camera smashing a Capitol window with a police shield, the FBI found. A federal prosecutor indicated they would be seeking a "terrorism enhancement" in the charges facing Pezzola. It came at the exact same moment Meriweather was considering the detention application. accused of leading the charge in the storming of the United States Capitol, Rochester man charged in Capitol riot had bomb-making manual on thumb drive, Aquinas Institute grad charged in US Capitol riot, faces more than 20 years if convicted. Dominic Pezzola, 43, and William Pepe, 31, face some of the most serious charges leveled so far in the government's probe of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Prosecutors did say Pezzola forcibly took a riot shield from a Capitol Police officer. WASHINGTON, D.C A New York State man was taken into custody and charged with unlawful entry, destruction of government property and obstruction of an official proceeding.Dominic Pezzola, 43, also known as “Spaz” and “Spazzo,” of Rochester, New York, … Jonathan Zucker, Pezzola's attorney, argued his client is not a danger to society, because he has no history of violent or criminal behavior. Dominic "Spaz" Pezzola was arrested by the FBI on January 15th for his alleged role in the Capitol Hill insurrection. Dominic Pezzola, 43, was arraigned Tuesday on 11 charges, including conspiracy and assaulting, resisting, or impeding a United Stated Capitol police officer. In the filing, Zucker offered a nearly point-by-point breakdown of the prosecutor's previous detention request. This photo provided by the FBI shows Dominic Pezzola. Arrested, Proud Boys; by Sedition Hunters; February 13, 2021 March 27, 2021; was arrested by the FBI for participation in the violence which occurred on Jan 6, 2021 at the US Capitol. A lawyer for Dominic Pezzola, ... was on Facebook a day later with his apology. Pepe was released on his own recognizance. A lawyer for Dominic Pezzola, who authorities say is a member of the extremist group Proud Boys and broke a Capitol window with a police shield, said in a … James’ affidavit ends with this group photo, identifying Connie Meggs, two still uncharged Stack participants, four uncharged people who tracked with James and Minuta during the insurrection, Kelly Meggs, and another Stack member. He, along with co-defendant William Pepe of Beacon, Dutchess County, pleaded not guilty Tuesday. A number of people are pointing to this motion to modify bond by Proud Boy Dominic Pezzola, the guy who helped kick off an insurrection by breaking the window of the Capitol with a stolen police shield, reporting either that Pezzola is bidding to plead out or that that the Proud Boys are turning on themselves.. Prosecutors fill in details of Proud Boys assault on Capitol. A lawyer for Dominic Pezzola, ... was on Facebook a day later with his apology. Feds:Rochester man charged in Capitol riot had bomb-making manual on thumb drive, More:Aquinas Institute grad charged in US Capitol riot, faces more than 20 years if convicted. They rioted at the Capitol for Trump. But buried within the filing is a far more inflammatory allegation. Tweet Share Copy Arts & … Prosecutors placed "great weight" that Pezzola possessed a thumb drive containing instructions on how to make homemade firearms, poisons, and explosives. leading the charge in the storming of the United States Capitol on Jan. 6. (Dominic Pezzola, (center, with long hair and beard) is facing three federal charges for his role in the U.S. Capitol Building riot. Dominic Pezzola is a white man from New York, United States also known as Spaz and Spazzo.He is a member of the Proud Boys, a far-right, neo-fascist and male-only white nationalist political organization. Dominic Pezzola, 43, a member of the far-right Proud Boys, is facing 11 criminal counts, including conspiracy and assault on a law enforcement officer after a mob of Trump supporters overtook the Capitol while lawmakers were certifying the results of the presidential election. Follow him on Twitter @willcleveland13, Facebook @willcleveland13, and Instagram @clevelandroc. Pezzola was a talented boxer. Insurrection Fallout. Three days later, Dominic Pezzola, who lives several hundred miles away in Rochester, New York, was arrested on charges of obstructing Congress, destruction of government property, and illegally entering the Capitol; prosecutors presented photos of Pezzola breaking a window using a US Capitol Police riot shield. He said Pezzola has no other criminal history. More:They rioted at the Capitol for Trump. Dominic Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, N.Y., would become the first target of the nationwide investigation of participants in the Capitol riot to plead guilty to crimes related to the breach. Dominic Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, has been charged with entering the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6. Now, many of those arrested say it’s his fault. Dominic Pezzola, 43, and William Pepe, 31, face some of the most serious charges leveled so far in the government's probe of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. His stated desire to commit further acts of violence, combined with his access to weapons- and bomb-making manuals, is extremely concerning.". Contact Will Cleveland at wcleveland@gannett.com. Proud Boys’ Dominic Pezzola The far-right group also planned on targeting Speaker of the Proud Boys assault on Capitol regulated buildings or properties and! As acting `` out of a delusional belief that he was protecting his country a. 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