Story Updated 1/11/2021: A previous version of this story identified Parrish resident Adam Johnson as the man in a widely-circulated Getty image carrying the lectern of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Johnson was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County jail on Friday night.
A previous version of this story indicated the following were arrested in this incident. However, it was from a listing of all protest-related arrests dating back to early last year. The following were erroneously identified by WGCU as having been involved in the insurrection and we apologize for the mistake:
Nathaniel Brown
Andrew Johnson
Desaray Smith
Emanuel de Sousa
Henry Tarrio
Shawn Westberg
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Nearly a dozen Floridians, including at least one Southwest Florida man, have been arrested in connection with the mob of pro-Trump extremists who breached the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, as lawmakers were affirming the election victory of President-elect Joe Biden.
The Naples Daily News reports Michael Amos, 38, of Naples was among those arrested Wednesday. He’s charged with unlawful entry of public property and violating curfew. During an arraignment Thursday, Amos pleaded not guilty.
The Associated Press reports that according to U.S. Capitol Police, John Anderson of St. Augustine and Michael Curzio of Summerfield also face unlawful entry charges related to Wednesday’s insurrection.
Sanford Fire Department firefighter Andy Williams is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation after photos surfaced of him participating in the event.
About 100 Southwest Floridians returned, Thursday, from a bus trip to D.C. to attend the pro-Trump rally that occurred just before the mob overwhelmed police and unlawfully entered the Capitol. The bus trip was funded by Collier County businessman Alfie Oakes who owns Oakes Farms and the Seed to Table Market. The Naples Daily News reports Oakes described the trip as "amazing" and blamed the attack on the Capitol on, "left-wing activists."
Oakes has publicly called the COVID-19 pandemic a hoax and has been fighting Collier County's mask ordinance since July.
Adam Johnson, 36, of Parrish was arrested on a federal warrant and booked into the Pinellas County jail Friday night. Residents of Bradenton identified Johnson as the man captured in the widely circulated Getty photograph carrying the lectern of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
House Speaker Pelosi has ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff, Friday, in honor of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, 42, who died Thursday night from injuries incurred during Wednesday’s assault.
An effort to identify more culprits involved in the attack on the U.S. Capitol is underway. Anyone with relevant information, photos or video is urged to submit them to the FBI at fbi.gov/USCapitol. Tipsters can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Tips can also be submitted to tips.fbi.gov.
The FBI offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information related to who’s responsible for two pipe bombs found in the U.S. Capitol. The bombs were similar to those placed at the Republican National Committee headquarters and the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
The Washington D.C. Police Department has posted a number of photos from Wednesday’s insurrection on Twitter, seeking information into the identities of people in the photos. Anyone with information is urged to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.
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