The Justice Department has charged a Texas man accused of spraying a chemical irritant at police officers during the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.
According to CNN, the man, 49-year-old Daniel, is accused of using a chemical spray on a line of officers who were trying to keep rioters from entering the building. Federal prosecutors allege he targeted about a dozen officers.
Prosecutors also point to a video posted on the social media site Parler after the riot. In it, the man describes being pepper sprayed and says he sprayed back, in his words, “got like 15 of them.” Prosecutors say the video shows him talking about what happened that day.
He faces four charges: assaulting federal officers, obstructing law enforcement, knowingly entering a restricted building, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Chemical sprays have been a major focus of the federal investigation into the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. CNN previously reported that authorities believe he was sprayed with a chemical irritant during the attack, and he died the following day. Court documents do not show any known connection between Sicknick’s death and the charges against this defendant.
Court records show no attorney is listed for him yet, and he has not entered a plea. Charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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