An organizer with the far-right extremist group the Proud Boys was detained in Florida on Wednesday for his alleged role in the attack on the Capitol earlier this month.
Joseph Randall Biggs, 37, has been credited with obstructing a politician moving before Congress, disorderly behavior, and entering a restricted building, consistent with an arrest affidavit. Biggs may be a member of the Proud Boys and a self-described organizer of the group's events.
Biggs began publicly promoting members of the Proud Boys to attend the Epiphany demonstration in Washington, D.C., as early as December of last year, consistent with the affidavit. a number of the communications were with Enrique Tarrio, the chairman of the Proud Boys, who was arrested on January 4 upon his arrival to D.C.
The group features a long history of being emboldened by former President Donald Trump's rhetoric. At a September presidential debate, Mr. Trump told the Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by," instead of condemning the flood tide of racism.
So far, federal charges are made public against quite 115 defendants. The FBI has continued to look through social media, tips, and private videos to seek out suspects across the country where hundreds face federal and native charges.
While Biggs left the Capitol out of the arrest, he admitted to being present at the Capitol and starting the building in an interview with FBI agents on January 18, the affidavit said. However, Biggs vetoed both forcing his way into the capitol or having any knowledge that others would storm the building. "Biggs informed the interviewing cause that the doors of the Capitol were wide open when he made entry into the building," the affidavit said.
Jesus Rivera, of Pensacola, was also arrested Wednesday. Rivera was charged with knowingly entering a restricted building, impeding government business, disorderly behavior, and demonstrating on Capitol grounds.
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