Federal law enforcement is starting to move beyond identifying and arresting the individual Trumpist insurrectionists who violently entered and trashed the Capitol on January 6, and have begun to prosecute those belonging to extremist right-wing organizations for their role. The stormtrumper domestic terrorist group "Proud Boys" figures prominently:
"In these and other filings, prosecutors trace the actions of possible key instigators in the storming of the Capitol, including members of the Proud Boys — a far-right nationalist and nativist group with a history of violence — and other right-wing extremist groups.
According to prosecutors, citing surveillance video and social media, Proud Boy Dominic Pezzola was one of the first to lead the charge both outside and inside the Capitol, helping overwhelm police defenses after stealing an officer’s riot shield."
Pezzola's quite the thug, according to prosecutors, and now faces assault charges:
"...Pezzola and another Proud Boy dragged a piece of the fence away, leaving police unprotected and helping thousands follow onto the Capitol grounds, prosecutors said. Pezzola next was among the first to reach another police line at the base of the Capitol, prosecutors said.
As a scuffle broke out after a member of the mob was hit by a projectile, possibly fired by police, Pezzola can be seen on video pulling out a riot shield, according to prosecutors. He is then seen in images using the shield to break a building window at 2:13 p.m., according to court documents."
What is of interest to Federal law enforcement is the evidence of coordinated activity among Proud Boy members:
"According to prosecutors, members of the Proud Boys used walkie-talkie-style communication devices to coordinate during the attack. On Pezzola’s computer, [Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik] Kenerson said, FBI agents found information on making homemade firearms, poisons and explosives."
Arrest and charge every "Proud Boy" that was at the insurrection with everything that will stick, including conspiracy. This would be a good time to prosecute these criminals under RICO if it's not already being done. Same with the Oath Keepers and other extremist right-wing militia organizations.
(photo: "Proud Boy" Pezzola. FBI)
