The MTA worker who was arrested this month for his part in the January 6 storm on the U.S. Capitol is a member of the Proud Boys, federal officials say – and is now facing serious charges of conspiracy and civil disorder.
William Pepe, 31, of Beacon, NY, called in sick because of his job in Metro North to attend the Washington rally that ended in a riot, reports The Post.
According to the Department of Justice, he was charged Friday in federal court in Columbia District with new charges.
The new indictment comes two weeks after Pepe’s arrest on January 12 on charges of illegally entering the Capitol building.
DOJ attorneys identified Pepe and Rochester resident Dominic ‘Spaz’ Pezzola, 43, as Proud Boys members who had a conspiracy to obstruct, influence, obstruct and interfere with law enforcement ‘by blocking metal remove and steal the Capitol Police. property.
Pezzola is facing additional charges following allegations that a window in the Capitol was broken with a stolen riot shield from police.
It was the first charge of conspiracy against members of the right-wing Proud Boys group, who call themselves ‘Western chauvinists’ and are known for their violent clashes with protesters from Black Lives Matter and Antifa.
Pepe has been suspended from his $ 73,000-a-year job as MTA officials try to oust him.