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Metro-North Employee Arrested By FBI In Connection With Attack On Capitol
By
Sophia Chang
Published Jan 12, 2021
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Metropolitan Police Department
By
Sophia Chang
Published Jan 12, 2021
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The MTA employee who was seen participating in the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol last week was arrested by the FBI on Tuesday, according to federal authorities.
Will Pepe, 31, of Beacon, New York, was taken into custody Tuesday and will make an appearance on an initial complaint Wednesday in federal court in White Plains, said a spokesman for the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Pepe worked at a Metro-North rail yard in Brewster and "called out sick Wednesday to attend the event," according to the NY Post.
The FBI did not return a call on Tuesday for comment on the charges Pepe faces, and the US Attorney's office in the Southern District did not have the complaint because the US Attorney's office in Washington DC is handling the case. T
The MTA had suspended Pepe without pay after he was identified as one of the insurrectionists, saying his “alleged conduct” was “abhorrent and goes against the values of Metro-North Railroad, NY and the nation." In photos and footage of the breach distributed by law enforcement, Pepe was recognized by both colleagues and management, ABC-7 reported.
“Participation in the riot which resulted in deadly violence at the Capitol last week was abhorrent to the values of the MTA and New Yorkers, and those who attacked that symbol of American democracy disqualified themselves from working for the People of New York. Mr. Pepe is entitled to due process and was suspended last week as part of that process. We are cooperating with federal law enforcement agencies in their investigation and prosecution of those involved,” said MTA Communications Director Tim Minton in a statement.
The FBI also arrested Brooklyn resident Aaron Mostofsky, 34, on Tuesday. Mostofsky, the son of a Brooklyn Supreme Court judge, was seen inside the Capitol during the insurrection wearing animal pelts and carrying a police riot shield.
Last week’s violent raid on the Capitol, following President Donald Trump's rally to spread misinformation about election fraud, left five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer who was fatally injured by the mob; a Trump supporter who was shot trying to breach a room inside the Capitol; and three other Trump supporters who had medical episodes. Thousands of protesters descended on the Capitol, breaching police lines and breaking down windows and doors to enter while Congress was certifying the 2020 elections results that sealed President-elect Joe Biden's victory.
Over a dozen people are currently facing federal charges for their role in the insurrection, with more arrests expected as the FBI continues identifying suspects from the many photos and video documenting the riots.
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Metro-North Railroad
Sophia Chang
Sophia Chang is a former WNYC and Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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