Following the events of the attempted coup on January 6, the FBI has continued to press charges for those that took part in the storming of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Most recently, a fifth man has been arrested in connection with the attack on officer Michael Fanone who was savagely beaten while trying to defend the building. The 40-year-old man, Christopher Kelly, is from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Kelly reportedly physically and verbally attacked Fanone while other rioters harassed him and attempted to steal his firearms. Fanone has declared that he thought he was going to die that day but was eventually saved when another officer arrived to help him.
Kelly is charged with three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding, or interfering with officers, one count of civil disorder, one count of deprivation of rights, and one count of obstructing law enforcement.
Other participants of the attack have already received charges including Michael Lopatic, who is from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He allegedly assaulted Fanone from the rear. Prosecutors have accused him of using an “improvised shield” to help him commit the crime while shouting, “We need to get this guy!”
This case is one of many terrorist-related crimes that have been connected to the uprising at the Capitol. The FBI has arrested more than 200 people since the start of the investigation and will continue to pursue justice in this matter.
Kelly received a detention hearing on Tuesday in Denver’s federal courthouse. If convicted, he may face up to 20 years in prison.
It is crucial that those who took part in this violent attack are held accountable for their heinous acts. The FBI, along with other law enforcement agencies, have put tremendous effort into catching all participants to ensure that the security of the Capitol building is preserved and justice is served.