Five “America First Groypers” Arrested In Capitol Riot

September 21, 2022 Extremists, Trump cultists

NBC News reports:

Five people who federal investigators say are associated with the far-right group America First have been arrested in connection with last year’s attack on the U.S. Capitol. In addition to numerous criminal charges, they are accused of entering House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s conference room, according to a court filing.

The Justice Department said in the filing that the leadership of America First “has espoused a belief that they are defending against the demographic and cultural changes in America.” Members of the group are commonly referred to as “Groypers.”

From the Justice Department:

Joseph Brody, 23, of Springfield, Virginia, is charged in a criminal complaint with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers, causing bodily injury, interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder, and obstruction of an official proceeding, all felony offenses.

He also is charged with two misdemeanor offenses. Brody was arrested on Sept. 15, 2022, in Springfield. He made his initial appearance in the District of Columbia later that day and was released pending further court proceedings.

Four other defendants also face misdemeanor charges. They include Thomas Carey, 21, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Gabriel Chase, 22, of Gainesville, Florida; Jon Lizak, 21, of Cold Spring Harbor, New York, and Paul Ewald Lovley, 23, of Halethorpe, Maryland.

Carey and Lizak were arrested on Sept. 15, 2022, Lovley was arrested Sept. 19, 2022, and Chase was arrested today.

According to court documents, all five defendants communicated with one another in advance of Jan. 6, 2021, and eventually illegally entered the Capitol as a group, at approximately 2:16 p.m.

They moved throughout multiple levels, corridors, and rooms of the building, including the office and conference room of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Brody also entered the floor of the U.S. Senate Chamber, where he filmed or photographed the desks of U.S. Senators.

After about 35 minutes, the group exited the building and moved to the north end of the Capitol, witnessing the breach of the North Door

. Brody assisted another person in the mob in using a metal barricade against a U.S. Capitol Police officer, knocking the officers back as he attempted to secure the North Door. Brody and Chase also participated in the destruction of media equipment.

Groypers are followers of neo-Nazi leader Nick Fuentes. Extremist writer Michelle Malkin has declared herself to be the “mommy” of the “Groyper Army.”



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