Defendant Electro-Shocked Metropolitan Police Officer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A California man, who tased a Metropolitan Police Officer (MPD) throughout the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, pleaded responsible at the moment to the assault and three different expenses. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to determine and rely the electoral votes associated to the 2020 presidential election.
Daniel Rodriguez, 40, of Fontana, California, pleaded responsible to conspiracy, obstruction of an official continuing, obstruction of justice, and assaulting a legislation enforcement officer with a lethal or harmful weapon. Rodriguez admitted to assaulting MPD Officer Michael Fanone with a taser throughout the breach of the U.S. Capitol. U.S. District Courtroom Decide Amy Berman Jackson scheduled a sentencing listening to for Might 16, 2023.
Based on courtroom paperwork, Rodriguez and others created a Telegram group chat, known as the “Patriots 45 MAGA Gang,” within the Fall of 2020, and used it as a platform to advocate violence in opposition to sure teams and people that both supported the 2020 Presidential election outcomes, supported what the group perceived as liberal or communist ideologies, or held positions of authority in authorities. The group’s actions included amassing weapons and tactical gear to carry to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, storming previous barricades to realize illegal entry to the Capitol, and coordinating actions earlier than, throughout, and after the riot. Based on courtroom paperwork, Rodriguez conspired to cease, delay, and hinder Congress’s Certification of the Electoral School Vote in addition to to stop proof from getting used within the investigation of his and his co-conspirators’ actions.
Rodriguez was arrested on March 31, 2021, by the FBI’s Los Angeles Discipline Workplace.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Part of the U.S. Division of Justice’s Nationwide Safety Division, with help from the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace for the Central District of California.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Discipline Places of work, together with the Metropolitan Police Division and the U.S. Capitol Police.
Within the 25 months since Jan. 6, 2021, greater than 985 people have been arrested in practically all 50 states for crimes associated to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, together with roughly 319 people charged with assaulting or impeding legislation enforcement. The investigation stays ongoing.
Anybody with suggestions can name 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or go to suggestions.fbi.gov.
