Hudson Valley 'Proud Boy' Indicted For Capitol Riot Conspiracy

BEACON, NY — A Dutchess County man, previously accused of involvement in the Jan. 6 United States Capitol riot, was indicted Friday in federal court for conspiracy and other charges and is said to be a member of the Proud Boys.

William Pepe, 31, of Beacon, and Dominic Pezzola, 43, of Rochester, were indicted in a District of Columbia federal court on charges of conspiracy, civil disorder, unlawfully entering restricted buildings or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted buildings or grounds, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the District of Columbia.

Pezzola was also charged with obstruction of an official proceeding; additional counts of civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder; robbery of personal property of the U.S.; assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers; destruction of government property and engaging in physical violence in restricted buildings or grounds.

Pepe and Pezzola were originally charged by criminal complaint and arrested, respectively, on Jan. 12 and Jan. 15.

Pepe works at the Brewster Metro-North rail yard. He called out sick to attend the event.

The MTA said it suspended him without pay after finding out he was being investigated by the FBI for his participation in the siege.

Pezzola is a former boxer and a Marine, The New York Times reported.

Prosecutors said Pezzola and Pepe are members of the Proud Boys, self-described as a "pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists."

The men possess tactical vests branded with the Proud Boys logo and have attended Proud Boys gatherings and protests, according to charging documents.

The indictment said Pezzola and Pepe engaged in a conspiracy to obstruct, influence, impede and interfere with law enforcement officers who were acting in their official duties protecting the Capitol and its grounds Jan. 6.

Prosecutors said the men took actions to evade and render ineffective the protective equipment deployed by the Capitol police in active riot control measures, including removing temporary metal barriers and stealing property belonging to the Capitol police.

Authorities also said Pezzola confronted a Capitol police officer who was trying to control the crowd and ripped away the officer's riot shield. Pezzola was seen on video using that riot shield to smash a window at the Capitol, according to prosecutors.