U.S. Capitol Police officer charged with telling rioter to destroy evidence

WASHINGTON, Oct.15 (Reuters) – Federal attorneys on Friday accused a U.S. Capitol police officer of asking a participant in the January 6 attack on the government building to destroy Facebook posts showing him in it, warning that he could be prosecuted.

In a six-page indictment, prosecutors said Michael Riley, a Capitol Police officer for more than 25 years, had become a Facebook friend, with the suspect identified as “Person 1” on Jan. January had sent a direct message. 7th

“Hey (Person 1), I’m a capital cop who agrees with your political stance,” Riley said on the message. “Take the part about them being in the building they are currently investigating and anyone who has been in the building will be charged.”

Hundreds of supporters of former Republican President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol on January 6 to reverse his electoral defeat. Four people died in the violence, more than 100 police officers were injured, and four police officers in the crowd died of suicide later that day.

Prosecutors say Riley exchanged “dozen more” direct messages with the riot suspect on Jan. 7, including one in which he wrote, “I’m glad you got out safe. We injured over 50 officers, some pretty bad. “

At a brief court hearing on Friday, Federal Judge G. Michael Harvey approved Riley’s bailout and ordered him not to leave the continental United States without judicial approval and to call the investigating authorities weekly.

Riley, who did not file a plea immediately, was also not allowed to own any weapons or other weapons, the judge said.

One of Riley’s attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Reporting by Mark Hosenball; Editing by Scott Malone and Aurora Ellis