FBI arrests ‘Proud Boy’ Leader From Huntington After Capitol Riot
Andrew Maciejewski
Herald-Press
HUNTINGTON – A former student of Huntington North High School is facing charges related to the storming of the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6.
Nicholas R. Ochs was charged with unlawful entry into a restricted building or grounds, according to a Department of Justice press release. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii says Ochs was arrested Thursday at the Daniel K. Inouye Airport – a day after rioters stormed the Capitol Building and interrupted Congress as it attempted to certify and count the Electoral College votes for the 2020 presidential election.
The government is seeking Ochs’ removal to Washington D.C. to face the charges which were unsealed late last week.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by ABC News, a special agent with the FBI used a picture posted to Ochs Twitter account, identified as @OchsForHawaii, showing him allegedly smoking inside the Capitol Building. The agent also referenced an interview Ochs did with CNN where he reportedly admitted to entering the capitol, saying “We didn’t have to break in, I just walked in and filmed.”
The criminal complaint also notes,” (Ochs) is the leader and founder of a Hawaii chapter of the ‘Proud Boys’ organization,” according to interviews he has reportedly given to the media.
Ochs received national attention after he posted a video to his Twitter page that shows he received the endorsement of Roger Stone, a longtime friend of President Donald Trump according to NBC.
The endorsement occurred while he was running as a Republican for public office in Hawaii. He lost his bid in November to gain a seat in the Hawaii House of Representatives for District 22, according to Ballotpedia.
SOURCE: HSPAInfoNet