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Retired FDNY Firefighter Charged After Allegedly Sharing Selfie During Capitol Riots
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Jan 18, 2021
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FBI
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Jan 18, 2021
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A recently-retired FDNY firefighter was charged on Monday for his alleged role in storming the U.S. Capitol building — after boasting to a government employee that he was the "tip of the spear," according to federal authorities.
Thomas Fee, a Nassau County resident who retired from the FDNY this past October, was named in a federal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C. He had not yet been arrested as of Monday afternoon, a law enforcement source told Gothamist/WNYC.
Fee was previously suspended by the FDNY in 2004, after allegedly shouting racial slurs at a Black cardiologist "on three or four occasions" while working as a volunteer firefighter on Long Island. He was able to keep his city job, and retired this past October after 22 years with the department, an FDNY spokesperson confirmed.
According to the filing, federal authorities learned of Fee's involvement in the January 6th insurrection after he texted a photo of himself inside the Capitol building to an unnamed U.S. State Department employee, whose sister Fee is dating.
Fee also provided video to the State Department employee showing several people inside the building, shouting "tyranny" and "Pelosi," prosecutors said. In a text message, Fee stated that he was "at the tip of the spear," according to the complaint.
Fee was charged on Monday with knowingly entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct.
The FDNY previously said they received anonymous allegations about two city firefighters — one active and one retired — who may have joined in the siege. Fee does not appear to be either of those suspected participants.
More than 125 people have been arrested so far on charges related to the insurrection. Earlier on Monday, FBI agents arrested a Staten Island man who also allegedly shared photos of himself inside the Capitol building.
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Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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