World News | Michigan man accused of assaulting police in US Capitol attack arrested in Florida

ORLANDO (USA) July 3 (AP) – A Michigan man accused of attacking a police officer with a flagpole during the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot has been arrested in Florida, officials say .

Jeremy Rodgers, 28, of Midland, Mich., faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, court records show. He was arrested Friday in Orlando, Florida, where he made his first court appearance. The case will be filed in federal court in the District of Columbia.

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Rogers joined others in opposing Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 victory over then-President Donald Trump, according to court documents. Authorities said a mob stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to prevent Congress from confirming Biden’s victory over Republican Trump. Five people died in the violence.

Surveillance video showed Rogers holding a blue flag on a wooden flagpole as he approached a line of law enforcement officers guarding the entrance to the East Rotunda, according to the criminal complaint. Investigators said Rogers hit a U.S. Capitol Police officer with the flagpole three times on the helmet before swinging it in the direction of the officer twice.

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Prosecutors said Rogers also used the flagpole to prevent officers from closing doors so he could enter the building. Once inside the building, Rogers removed the railing so others in the crowd could enter, officials said.

Investigators said Rogers was part of a crowd that rushed through a cordon outside the entrance to the House chamber. After another confrontation with police, Rogers marched through the rotunda waving a flag before leaving, officials said.

Online court records do not list an attorney for Rogers who may have spoken on his behalf.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for alleged crimes related to the Capitol breach, according to officials. More than 350 people have been charged with assault or obstructing law enforcement. (Associated Press)

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