Michael A. Riley, inducted and arrested: YouTube
Staff Report –
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A U.S. Capitol Police officer has been arrested following his indictment on federal charges of obstruction of justice for aiding and communicating with right-wing domestic terrorists involved in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and destroying evidence.
The insurrection and attempted coup disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of counting and certifying electoral votes naming Joe Biden as the winner in the presidential election of 2020.
Michael A. Riley, 50, was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on two counts of obstruction. The indictment was unsealed following his arrest Monday morning, and he made his initial court appearance in the afternoon.
He was released on personal recognizance pending a hearing on October 26, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to the indictment, stamped Oct. 14, Riley has more than 25 years of experience and was at work on Jan. 6, 2021 with the K-9 unit. Although he was not on duty inside the Capitol building itself during the attack, he was aware of what was taking place via Capitol Police radio.
That day, he responded to reports of an explosive device near the Capitol complex.
From Jan. 7 through Jan. 20, the indictment alleges, Riley communicated via direct messages on social media with an individual identified as “Person 1,” who had posted photographs, videos and other commentary on social media admitting his presence and conduct inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
On Jan. 7, Riley directed “Person 1” to conceal evidence, writing, “im a capitol police officer who agrees with your political stance. Take down the part about being in the building they are currently investigating and everyone who was in the building is going to charged. Just looking out!”
On Jan. 19, according to the indictment, “Person 1” was arrested and interviewed by the FBI. He sent Riley messages on Jan. 20 regarding having turned himself in, and added, “The fbi was very curious that I had been speaking to you if they haven’t already asked you about me they are gonna … They took my phone and downloaded everything.”
After Riley received that message, on Jan. 20, he deleted all of his messages to and from “Person 1,” and, the following day, Riley ceased all communications with the individual.
This is just one example of law enforcement and military personnel in uniform involved directly on the political side with the insurrectionists, which many Americans and some attorneys say should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Other Capitol Police officers have been charged in actions to aid the Trump inspired insurrectionists on the day of the “Stop the Steal” rally, march, riot and breach of the Capitol.
Related Coverage
NAJ: Capitol Police Officers Face Investigation for Role in Capitol Insurrection
Each count of obstruction of justice charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with significant assistance provided by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Capitol Police. The case is being prosecuted by the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
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