A Capitol police officer was charged on Friday with obstructing the investigation into the deadly Jan. 6 riot by trying to protect a rioter.
According to a grand jury indictment unsealed Friday, Michael Angelo Riley, a 25-year veteran of the U.S Capitol Police force initiated contact with an individual he didn’t know on Facebook one day after the riot and repeatedly told him to delete evidence that he was at the Capitol that day.
“I’m a capitol police officer who agrees with your political stance. Take down the part about being in the building they are currently investigating and everyone who was in the building is going to charged. Just looking out!” Riley in one of his first messages to ‘Person 1’.
The two exchanged dozens more Facebook direct messages, the indictment said.
When ‘Person 1’ said he did not think he had done anything wrong, Riley responded, “The only thing I can see is if you went in the building and they have proof you will be charged.”
“They’re arresting dozens of people a day,” Riley told Person 1 in another message, “Its behind you now…lesson learned! Just ask your attorney whats next,” he said in another.
The pair took their friendship off social media and allegedly had a 23-minute long conversation on the phone.
Things took a turn after the rioter was arrested on Jan. 19 and told Riley that the FBI was interested in their conversations.
In response Riley deleted all his Facebook direct messages to and from the rioter, according to court documents.
On Jan. 21 Riley sent a message trying to distance himself from the man who stormed the building he swore to protect, after speaking to a friend.
“I tried to defend you, but then he showed me a video of you in the Capitol smoking weed and acting like a moron. I have to say, i was shocked and dumfounded…I will no longer be conversing with you,” Riley wrote.
Riley was arrested Friday on obstruction of justice charges. He was released under certain conditions pending trial.
Chief Tom Manger, U.S. Capitol Police told CBS in a statement: “Obstruction of Justice is a very serious allegation. The Department was notified about this investigation several weeks ago. Upon his arrest, the officer was placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the case. The USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility will then open an administrative investigation.”
Riley was not among the 38 officers who were under internal investigation by Capitol Police after the riot.