Two Proud Boys Members Indicted On Conspiracy Charges in Capitol Breach

The Department of Justice announced Friday that two members of the right-wing Proud Boys were indicted on federal charges for "conspiring to obstruct law enforcement" from protecting the U.S. Capitol during the breach on Jan. 6. Dominic Pezzola, 43, and William Pepe, 31, were charged with conspiracy, civil disorder, unlawfully entering restricted buildings or grounds, and disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted buildings or grounds. The pair was initially charged in a criminal complaint and arrested a week after the breach; the conspiracy charges were new as of Friday. Pezzola was also 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, and more. The story received wide coverage from outlets across the political spectrum. Outlets from the left and center tended to highlight Proud Boys members' presence in the Capitol breach, as well as members present during clashes with opposing groups last year. Some right-rated outlets detailed the Proud Boys' history and how the group has been portrayed in the media.