Federal prosecutors charged a Capitol Police officer with helping a Jan 6 rioter.
Officer Michael Riley has been charged with obstruction on two counts.
According to the indictment, he was a rioter who bonded over fishing and invited him to his home.
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Two felonies of obstruction have been brought against a Capitol Police officer for allegedly aiding a Jan 6 rioter to hide evidence.
According to an indictment filed at US District Court on Thursday, officers Michael Angelo Riley and Anita Riley claim that Riley instructed an unidentified rioter to delete online photos of Riley at the Capitol in order to avoid criminal prosecutions.
Riley is accused of sending numerous messages to the rioter.
Riley sent a message to the unnamed person saying, "I am a Capitol Police Officer who agrees with you political stance," as it was quoted in the indictment. "Take out the part about being inside the building they are investigating, and everyone who was there will be charged. "Just looking out!"
According to the indictment Riley was a member the Capitol Police when a mob supporting then-President Donald Trump rioted on the Capitol Building and tried to stop Congress from certifying results for 2020.
Riley was not present at the Capitol Building itself, but he responded to reports of an explosion nearby, according to prosecutors.
According to the indictment, Riley and the unnamed rioter became facebook friends on January 1. Prosecutors said that the officer contacted the other person on January 7th, the day following the insurrection and advised him to remove photos of himself at Capitol Building.
It was a complete shitshow !!!" In a message obtained from prosecutors, Riley stated that it was a total shit show. "Just wanted you to know that we had more than 50 officers injured, some very badly."
Prosecutors say that the two talked a lot about fishing.
Prosecutors obtained messages from Riley indicating that he advised the unnamed rioter regarding the FBI's strategy for pursuing those who stormed Capitol Building. He invited him to his home.
"Lesson learned!" One message was read.
Riley sent another message that said, "Next time you come to DC, just call me. You can stay at my home on the shore for no cost and take your daughter to see the museums," Let's go legal next time if you want to see the Capitol buildings.
On January 19, the FBI arrested the accused rioter. According to the indictment, he spoke with Riley on January 20 about his interview with FBI. Riley then deleted all direct messages that they had exchanged later that day.
Insider was unable to identify an attorney for Riley immediately. Riley will appear in Washington federal court later Friday.
