NEW YORK — The owner of several Long Island funeral homes was arrested Wednesday on charges of spraying wasps at police officers and attacking journalists, including an Associated Press photographer, during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol. authorities said.
Peter G. Moloney, 58, of Bayport, New York, faces numerous charges, including civil disorder and assault on police officers, according to court documents. An email was sent to his defense attorney seeking comment, but there was no response.
He was released on $100,000 bail after an initial court appearance, according to a spokesman for the US attorney’s office in New York.
Dan Moloney, his brother and co-owner of Moloney Family Funeral Homes, said in an emailed statement that the “alleged actions taken by an individual on their own time do not in any way reflect the core values” of the business, “which is dedicated to to earn and maintain the trust of all members of the community of all races, religions and nationalities”.
An FBI agent wrote in court documents that Peter Moloney appears to have come to the Capitol “prepared for violence,” wearing goggles, a helmet and a can of bug spray — a killer of wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. Moloney was seen at the Capitol with a colleague, whom authorities have not publicly identified.
The video shows him spraying the insecticide at officers who were desperately trying to push back the angry mob and protect the Capitol, the agent wrote.
Authorities say the video also shows Peter Moloney participating in an attack on an AP photographer, who was documenting the violence on Capitol Hill. Moloney grabbed the AP photographer’s camera and yanked, causing the photographer to stumble down the stairs, the agent wrote. Moloney was then seen “hitting and shoving” the photographer before other rioters pushed the photographer over a wall, the agent wrote.
Authorities say he also grabbed another member of the media’s camera, causing the journalist to stumble down the stairs.
More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes in the riot that halted President Joe Biden’s victory certification, and authorities continue to make regular arrests more than two years later. Authorities are still working to identify a large number of rioters seen on camera storming the Capitol or engaging in violence.
Nearly 600 of them have pleaded guilty to riot-related charges, while more than 100 have been convicted by judges or juries. More than 500 have been sentenced, with more than half receiving prison terms ranging from seven days to 18 years.
AP reporter Michael Kunzelman contributed from Silver Spring, Maryland.
2023-06-08 03:17:01
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