Proud Boys indicted on 'conspiracy' charges for role in Capitol riots

The Justice Department indicted two “Proud Boys” on charges of "conspiracy" and a host of other crimes for their role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol in early January, with the indictment coming just a few days after investigators charged a trio of “Oath Keepers” with conspiracy related to the Capitol siege too.

Dominic Pezzola and William Pepe, both New York members of the right-wing Proud Boys (described as a “nationalist organization with multiple U.S. chapters and potential activity in other Western countries"), had been hit with charges of “conspiracy; civil disorder; unlawfully entering restricted buildings or grounds; and disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted buildings or grounds," the DOJ announced Friday night.

Pezzola, also known as “Spaz” or “Spazzo” and who investigators said stole a riot shield from a Capitol Police officer and used it to smash a Capitol Building window, was further charged with “obstruction of an official proceeding; additional counts of civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder; robbery of personal property of the United States; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; destruction of government property; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted buildings or grounds.”