The MTA employee arrested this month for his part in the storming of the US Capitol on Jan. 6 is a member of the Proud Boys, federal officials say – and is now facing more serious allegations of conspiracy and civil disorder.
William Pepe, 31, of Beacon, NY, called in sick from his job in Metro-North to attend the Washington, DC meeting that ended in a riot, The Post reported.
According to the Justice Department, he was indicted on new charges in federal court in the District of Columbia on Friday.
The new charge came two weeks after Pepe’s arrest on Jan. 12 on charges of illegal entry into the Capitol.
DOJ attorneys identified Pepe and Rochester resident Dominic “Spaz” Pezzola, 43, as Proud Boys members who “were involved in a conspiracy to obstruct, influence, hinder and interfere with law enforcement officials” by removing metal barricades and stealing Capitol Police . property.
Pezzola is facing additional charges stemming from allegations that a window in the Capitol with a stolen riot shield has been broken.
It was the first conspiracy report against members of the right-wing Proud Boys group, who call themselves “Western chauvinists” and are known for their violent clashes with Black Lives Matter and Antifa protesters.
Pepe has been banned from his $ 73,000-a-year job as MTA officials seek his eviction.