Deputy possibly involved in U.S. Capitol insurrection
A deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is suspected of possibly being involved in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol while off duty last week, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said on Thursday, Jan. 14.
“I am very concerned one of my deputies may have been involved in wrongdoing at the U.S. Capitol,” Villanueva said in a statement. “Upon learning, I contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and briefed them.”
It was not clear whether the deputy attended the rally where President Donald Trump addressed a crowd of thousands, or took part in the attack on the U.S. Capitol building where five people were killed, including a Capitol police officer. Dozens more were injured. Congress had met that day for a mostly ceremonial vote confirming state-by-state results in the 2020 presidential election won by former Vice President Joe Biden.
“We’ve had one who has identified themselves as being there,” the sheriff said on Facebook Live. “That info has been passed to the FBI, and they are currently doing an assessment on that.”
The department has started an internal review as well.
Earlier this week, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said one employee was present during the pro-Trump rally but left the area before the crowd violently stormed the Capitol. Moore has instructed his officers to disclose whether they were at the rally or the riot at the Capitol.
Federal authorities have arrested dozens across the nation for their alleged participation in the insurrection, including local government officials, police officers, firefighters, teachers and business owners.
Late Wednesday evening, FBI agents arrested a Glendora man, Hunter Allen Ehmke, 20, at his home for his suspected involvement in the D.C. insurrection.
Ehmke faces charges of destroying government property, violent and disorderly conduct and obstructing an official proceeding, federal prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said a Capitol officer had spotted Ehmke trying to break a window at the Capitol Building and was also seen summoning more members of the mob to the window.