A former Republican legislative candidate who traveled to Washington for former President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steel” rally was arrested Friday and charged with federal crimes for his role in the U.S. Capitol riots.
Matthew Brackley, 39, of Waldoboro, Maine, entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and asked for the location of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office before yelling, “Let’s go,” according to prosecutors.
He was arrested on felony charges including assault, resisting or obstructing certain officers and civil disorder, as well as several misdemeanors. He made his initial court appearance on Friday.
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It was unclear if Brackley had an attorney, and he did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.
Trump supporters occupy the West Front of the Capitol and the inauguration is on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Brackley tried unsuccessfully to unseat Democratic state Sen. Elvis Vitelli last year. His campaign website describes him as a Maine Maritime Academy graduate with an approach to “respectful, thoughtful discussion of the issues.”
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At the Capitol, prosecutors said, Brackley led a group that was pushed several times by police officers before eventually being dispersed by chemical spray and getting out.
More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the January 6 attack.
About 100 of them have been convicted by a jury or judge after trial, and more than 600 have pleaded guilty.
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More than 570 riot defendants have been convicted, more than half of whom received sentences ranging from three days to 18 years in prison.
Source by [Fox News]
