Capitol Riot Charges For Man Who Tried To Interfere With Philly Vote Count

PHILADELPHIA — A Virginia man who was charged with trying to interfere with Philadelphia's vote counting process in the 2020 presidential election has been charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2020 riot in Washington DC.

Antonio LaMotta, 63, was hit with federal charges of entering a restricted area, disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and illegally demonstrating in the Capitol building.

LaMotta and Joshua Macias were arrested and charged on Nov. 5, 2020 after they drove from Virginia to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where Philadelphia's vote tally was taking place, and were armed with firearms such as AR-15 rifles.

They were charged with felony concealed firearm without a license and carrying a firearm on public streets or public property by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

The pair was later charged with felony attempted interference with primaries and elections, felony conspiracy, and hindering or delaying performance of a duty in Philadelphia.

But those charges did not stop the two from participating in the riot at the Capitol.

"Despite facing illegal weapons charges and an ongoing investigation by my office of their actions, both of these individuals decided to participate in a seditious attack on the U.S. Capitol last week, as results of the presidential election were being certified by Congress," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said in January 2021.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, LaMotta was taken into custody Tuesday in Virginia after prosecutors said security camera footage showed him in a crowd of people made their way past police and into the Capitol Rotunda.

LaMotta is scheduled to stand trial on Oct. 11 in Philadelphia, court records show.