An Illinois man with ties to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots has found himself under federal scrutiny, facing charges after allegedly attacking police officers with a "Trump" flag. Lance Michael Ligocki, 34, from Oakwood, Illinois, stands accused of felonies for civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, reported the Chicago Sun-Times. His wardrobe included American flag-themed attire, which had earned him the nickname #FullFlagSuit online, along with said "Trump" flag and a "Stop the Steal" sign during the riot. Arrested on Thursday, Ligocki, swinging a pole with the "Trump" flag, hit police officers three times at the Capitol's lower west terrace.
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that beyond the felonies, Ligocki is charged with several misdemeanors including disorderly conduct in restricted areas. The FBI apprehended him in Illinois, after which he saw a judge for the first time in the Central District of Illinois. Dressed to show his political allegiance, wearing American flag-themed pants and jacket, and an American flag-themed baseball cap, Ligocki's distinctive getup made him easily recognizable.
Caught on video, prosecutors claim that Ligocki can be seen confronting the line of officers at the entrance to the Capitol, known as the Tunnel. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section lead the prosecution of these cases, with help from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois. Ligocki was identified as part of the horde of rioters at the Tunnel, which was the scene of some of the day's most heinous violence against law enforcement.
According to authorities, Ligocki is just one of almost 50 Illinois residents charged regarding the Jan. 6 disturbance which interrupted Congress's electoral vote certification, and is amongst over 1,300 individuals nationally facing charges due to the Capitol breach. Of these, more than 486 have been indicted for assaulting or impeding law enforcement. In a picture from Ligocki's Facebook page obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, he is seen donning an American flag "Trump" hat and holding a bust of the former president.
With the investigation still active, the FBI continues to urge the public to come forward with any relevant information. Tips can be shared by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or visiting the bureau's tip website.
