REUTERS/Leah Millis
WASHINGTON (Reuters) A West Virginia state lawmaker and a man pictured sitting at U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk are among those facing federal charges stemming from the siege on the U.S. Capitol by President Donald Trump’s supporters, federal prosecutors said on Friday.
In addition, Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen announced the FBI would team up with Washington’s police department to jointly investigate the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died from injuries sustained while defending the U.S. Capitol.
“Just because you’ve left the D.C. region, you can still expect a knock on the door if we find out you were part of the criminal activity at the Capitol,” Steven D’antuono, the FBI Washington Field Office’s assistant director in charge, said at a telephone news briefing.
The Republican delegate live-streamed himself on social media invading the Capitol building Wednesday afternoon but later deleted the video.
Mr. Evans has rejected several lawmakers’ claims that he should resign for participating in the insurrection. His attorney John Bryan released a statement Thursday explaining that Mr. Evans was an “independent activist and journalist.”
“Given the sheer size of the group walking in, Evans had no choice but to enter,” Mr. Bryant said. “Evans continued to film once inside. His footage showed that members of the public were already inside the Capitol by the time he entered. Evans’ footage shows no riotous behavior taking place at that time. Protesters can be seen calmly walking around.”
West Virginia Delegate Derrick Evans was among the mob at a riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Newly-sworn in West Virginia Delegate Derrick Evans now faces federal charges after sweeping into the U.S. Capitol with a mob this week, federal law enforcement officials said during a press call today.
“We’re in! We’re in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!” the new lawmaker said live on video.
He faces two federal misdemeanors, both punishable with fines and potential jail time: entering a restricted public building and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
The initial announcement of the charges against Evans came partway into a press briefing today with acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin for the District of Columbia. The federal officials participating in the call seemed to learn of the charges in that moment and said more detail would be released soon.
(This Jan. 8 story corrects headline and first sentence to say Pelosi aide’s desk)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A West Virginia state lawmaker and a man pictured sitting at an aide’s desk in U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office are among those facing federal charges stemming from the siege on the U.S. Capitol by President Donald Trump’s supporters, federal prosecutors said on Friday.
In a related development, Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen announced the FBI would team up with Washington’s police department to jointly investigate the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was injured while defending the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.