Long Island Man Charged In Capitol Assault: FBI

COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY — A Cold Spring Harbor man was arrested in connection with the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to court documents signed by the FBI.

Jon Lizak, 21, was accused of illegally entering the Capitol with four others at about 2:16 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, court documents show. They moved throughout different levels, corridors, and rooms of the Capitol, including the office and conference room of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the criminal complaint said. Lizak did not leave the building until 2:51 p.m., according to court documents.

Lizak was arrested on Sept. 15, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He faces misdemeanor charges, along with Thomas Carey, 21, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Gabriel Chase, 22, of Gainesville, Florida; and Paul Ewald Lovley, 23, of Halethorpe, Maryland.

Joseph Brody, 23, of Springfield, Virginia, was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with assaulting law enforcement officers, entering the floor of the U.S. Senate chamber and destroying media equipment during the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia stated.

The five all communicated with each other before the Capitol breach and illegally entered the building as a group, authorities said.

Federal investigators say all five men are associated with the far-right group America First, NBC News reported Tuesday.

The Justice Department said the leadership of America First “has espoused a belief that they are defending against the demographic and cultural changes in America.” Members of the group are commonly referred to as “Groypers," according to NBC News.

In the 20 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 870 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 265 people charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

Brody also entered the floor of the U.S. Senate chamber, where he filmed or photographed the desks of U.S. senators, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

After about 35 minutes, the group left the building and moved to the north end of the Capitol, where they witnessed the breach of the north door, officials said. Brody helped another rioter in using a metal barricade against a U.S. Capitol Police officer, knocking the officer back as he attempted to secure the north door, authorities said.

Brody and Chase also participated in the destruction of media equipment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Lizak went to Cold Spring Harbor Jr./Sr. High School.