Man from Boca Raton convicted for attacking officers during Jan. 6 incident

Man Convicted of Capitol Attack Charges

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that a Boca Raton man, Richard Cook, was convicted of felony and misdemeanor charges in relation to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Criminal Offenses

Cook, 38, was found guilty by a Washington, D.C. jury of a felony charge of civil disorder. Additionally, he was convicted of five misdemeanor offenses including:

Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds
Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds
Engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds
Impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings
Act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings

Evidence and Actions

According to prosecutors, evidence showed that Cook joined a mob that attacked police officers in the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, one of the most violent areas of the Capitol riot. Cook actively participated in pushing against law enforcement officers as rioters tried to gain access to the Capitol building.

Aggressive Participation

Prosecutors described how Cook entered the tunnel, coordinated pushes against officers, and joined in collective efforts to overwhelm the police line. Despite the officers regaining control temporarily, Cook and the mob persisted in their aggressive actions.

Continued Involvement

Cook remained near the tunnel, witnessing and supporting violent acts against law enforcement. His presence during the continued attack against officers led to his eventual arrest and conviction.

Legal Ramifications

Cook is set to be sentenced on August 28 for his involvement in the Capitol breach. The DOJ highlighted that over 1,424 individuals have been charged across the U.S. for crimes related to the incident, emphasizing ongoing investigations.

Reporting Tips

If you have any information related to the Capitol breach, you can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit their website at tips.fbi.gov.

Read More of this Story at www.wptv.com – 2024-05-13 18:07:39