DOJ: 3 More Western Pa. Natives Taken Into Custody In Connection With Capitol Riots
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Three more people from Western Pennsylvania are now facing federal charges in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol last winter.
CLICK HERE for related stories.
The Department of Justice says Samuel Fox of Mt. Pleasant, Mitchell Vukich of New Brighton and Nicholas Perretta of Baden are all in federal custody to face charges relating to criminal acts at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
Fox was apprehended by Westmoreland Park police officers at the Bridgeport Dam on Tuesday night.
Law enforcement officials told KDKA that Fox was near the dam when police asked for his ID. They ran Fox's information and it came back wanted by the FBI.
According to court records, Fox posted pictures and videos on his Facebook page of him in and around the Capitol on Jan. 6. On Jan. 8, someone who saw the posts contacted the FBI. Someone else did the same on Jan. 11.
Investigators say Fox bragged on Facebook, claiming to be one of the first people to get in after a window was broken. Fox also apparently deleted all posts related to the riot.
He is facing charges of:
- Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority,
- Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building,
- Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct and Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building,
- Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building.
Vukich turned himself in on Wednesday. He allegedly admitted to stealing paperwork, according to documents.
He is charged with:
- Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority,
- Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds,
- Theft of Government Money, Property, or Records,
- Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds,
- Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building.
Perretta also surrendered to authorities Wednesday morning. He allegedly told officials that he grabbed documents from the building. He described them as "3-month-old Congressional papers."
He also allegedly told investigators that he thought the Capitol was opened to the general public despite noting to investigators that he walked through tear gas and by police officers.
His charges include:
- Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority
- Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds
- Theft of Government Money, Property, or Records
- Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds
- Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
