Paul Rae: Another Proud Boys member charged over Capitol insurrection
About 300 people have been arrested so far in connection with the Capitol siege
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The US Justice Department has charged another member of the far-right group Proud Boys for his alleged role in the riots at the Capitol Hill building on 6 January.
Paul Rae from Largo, Florida, has been accused by prosecutors of obstructing the proceeding underway at the Capitol on 6 January and unlawfully entering the building amidst destruction of federal property.
Five people, including a police officer, were killed after supporters of Donald Trump breached the Capitol and wreaked havoc after the ex-president held a “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington DC. It happened as members of Congress gathered at the building to certify Joe Biden’s presidential election victory.
The evidence established from video footage and his Google location allegedly showed Mr Rae made forced entry into the Capitol building through the window that was smashed by other Proud Boys members.
Mr Rae was in direct contact with the leader of the Proud Boys, Joseph Randall Biggs, and even called him from his phone when the two were inside Capitol according to the phone records, the prosecutors said.
Read more:
“In fact, the surveillance footage showed Rae entered the building less than one minute after the door was initially opened and Rae entered the building with Proud Boys organiser Joseph Biggs, who had led a group of Proud Boys to the Capitol,” the affidavit said.
In January, Mr Biggs was arrested and charged with obstruction of proceeding, entering restricted grounds and disorderly conduct. He was later released for home confinement.
The federal agents and FBI received the information for Mr Rae’s involvement through two witnesses who identified him in the video footage. His and fellow Proud Boy Nick Ochs’s photographs were displayed in a number of news outlets.
Mr Rae is charged with two counts — corruptly obstruct, impede or influence an official proceeding before Congress and knowingly entering restricted grounds.
So far, about 300 people have been arrested for their alleged connection with the capitol siege and over 540 suspects have been identified by the investigators.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments