A New York member of the Proud Boys was convicted on felony and misdemeanor charges for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. William Joseph Pepe, 35, from White Plains, was found guilty of tampering with records and obstructing law enforcement during the civil disorder, alongside charges for his unlawful entry into the Capitol and the accompanying disorderly conduct. The U.S. Department of Justice reported the verdict following a bench trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, with sentencing scheduled for March 11, 2025.
Pepe joined about a hundred like-minded individuals on the morning of Jan. 6, as per trial evidence. To continue to defy norms, they soon departed the rally by the Washington Monument and proceeded towards the Capitol, arriving at a restricted area where they dismantled and trampled barriers. Displaying a disregard for the rule of law, Pepe was seen dragging a segment of the metal bike rack barriers away, aiding the mob's advance.
The incident escalated as it met resistance, with officers deploying crowd control measures like pepper spray. Among those affected, Pepe notably proclaimed, "Yo, the cops pepper sprayed me and Hooks. Me and Hooks got f—ing maced. Storming that Capitol, baby!" This was included in a self-taken video post-encounter. Further, Pepe was captured inside the Capitol recording a video where he stated, "We did it," as cited by the DOJ's announcement. His total time inside the ravaged halls of democracy spanned approximately 38 minutes.
Pepe's arrest was made by the FBI on Jan. 22, 2021. This case, along with others stemming from the same day, symbolizes a concerted effort to hold participants accountable. To date, over 1,532 individuals have been charged with related crimes, with upwards of 571 facing serious charges for assaulting or imperiling law enforcement. Officials encourage anyone with information to contribute to the ongoing investigation and help to once again shore up the pillars of justice shaken on that infamous day.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case against Pepe. Noteworthy assistance was provided by the Southern District of New York's U.S. Attorney's Office. Investigative teams from the FBI's New York and Washington Field Offices, alongside the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department, were also integral to the proceedings.
