NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A year after the attacks on the Capitol, dozens of New York and New Jersey residents are still awaiting outcomes for their involvement. Out of the 705 people who currently have federal cases against them for connections to the insurrection, 53 are from New York and 25 are from New Jersey.
A majority of the rioters are charged with illegally entering the Capitol building and engaging in disorderly conduct. These cases are being pushed to the forefront of the courts with defendants often receiving minimal jail time or none at all. Some are opting for plea deals. So far, 172 or 22% of those charged have pleaded guilty, including 10 New Yorkers and only two New Jersians.
While these less severe charges represent a large number of cases, there are some more serious crimes that have connections to our area.
New Jersey natives Julian Khater and George Tanios face a multitude of charges including assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and act of physical violence on Capitol grounds for their involvement in the death of Brian Sicknick—another New Jersey native—who died after Khater unleashed bear spray on a group of officers. Both are currently awaiting trial.
Recently, New Yorker Matthew Greene pleaded guilty to charges of obstructing Congress and conspiring to obstruct law enforcement which are felony charges. Greene, a Syracuse native and disavowed member of the Proud Boys, coordinated with other New York-based Proud Boys in front of the Capitol building and an unregistered AR-15 with ammunition was later found in his home. His sentencing will be in March.
Others are opting to go for a trial, like Aaron Mostofsky, the son of Brooklyn judge Steven “Shlomo” Mostofsky who faces several charges including assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and theft of government property for nabbing an officer’s riot shield all while doting a distinguishable fur coat. His trial is set for March.
George Washington University has been tracking the Jan. 6 attacks through their Program on Extremism where they’ve found the average age of those charged is 39 years old and come mostly from Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas. More than 77% of the accused were found through social media, either their personal or someone else’s. And an overwhelming amount of rioters are men- clocking in at 87%.
President Biden addressed the nation on the anniversary of the attacks condemning the violence of the participants and former president Donald Trump’s role in igniting the event. Biden also discussed a need for greater unity amongst the American people, reiterating the message that democracy hangs in the balance but also alluded to the hope that the date will be a reminder to become a stronger country.
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