(Citizen Free Press) — A leader of the Proud Boys, an extremist group that participated in the insurrection on the US Capitol, was detained and faces charges, federal officials said.
Joseph Randall Biggs, 37, of Florida, was arrested Wednesday and faces three charges – obstruction of a proceeding, entering restricted grounds and disorderly conduct – for his involvement in the Jan.6 siege of the Capitol, according to the Department. of Justice and a sworn statement from the FBI. The FBI describes Biggs in the affidavit as an organizer for the Proud Boys.
Biggs appeared in court in Orlando on Wednesday and was released under house confinement and other restrictions, according to his court record. An attorney who represented him in court did not respond to a request for comment.
Citizen Free Press affiliate WESH in Orlando asked Biggs about the accusations of insurrection against the Proud Boys and he replied: “That will be discussed in court.”
Presence of Proud Boys in the assault on the Capitol
Before the Capitol riots, Biggs posted messages on Parler, the social media platform favored by the far-right, in which he told his followers to blend in and not wear identifiable clothing, an FBI special agent wrote in the statement. sworn.
«The only thing that we will do that is ours is to think like us! January 6 will be epic, ”Biggs wrote, according to the affidavit. The document says that Biggs was also directing his remarks to Antifa.
Authorities say Biggs said, “This is unbelievable!” In live-streamed footage of the rioters entering the Capitol building, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit indicates that the Proud Boys were apparently wearing headphones to communicate that day.
“Your affidavit also notes that multiple people were photographed or shown on video with hearing aids, including other individuals believed to be associated with the Proud Boys,” the FBI affidavit reads.
The charges
The charges are among a series of federal cases alleging planning and organizing among far-right groups.
This is how an act of the Proud Boys is lived 3:36The FBI said Biggs informed agents that he entered the Capitol but did not use force and denied knowledge of any plans for the assault on the building.
Biggs has been present at other massive gatherings involving the Proud Boys.
He is known for his extreme rhetoric against members of Antifa, the black-clad leftists who claim to fight fascism and who often break into far-right events.