A Capitol police officer was indicted on Friday for interfering with the investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots after attempting to protect someone who was accused of participating in the insurrection.
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The officer, identified as Michael Angelo Riley, was indicted by a grand jury on Friday where it was revealed he told a rioter to delete all evidence involving his attendance at the Capitol on Jan 6. A Facebook direct message showed Riley interacting with the unidentified rioter which reads: “[I’]m a capitol police officer who agrees with your political stance. Take down the part about being in the building they are correctly investigating and everyone who was in the building is going to be charged. Just looking out!”
Riley was placed on administrative leave after his supervisor Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger learned about the investigation several weeks ago. The department will conduct its own private investigation involving Riley and his relationship with the rioter.
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“The department was notified about this investigation several weeks ago. Upon his arrest, the officer was placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the case.”
It was also discovered that Riley added the rioter, identified as Person 1, on Facebook five days before the insurrection after both were members of a fishing group on the social media site.
SOURCE: NBC News