FBI: 2 Virginia men arrested for roles in US Capitol riot

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Two Virginia men were arrested Wednesday morning on federal charges related to their roles in last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol, the FBI said.

FBI spokeswoman Christina Pullen identified the men as Robert Keith Packer, 56, of Newport News, and Douglas Allen Sweet of Grimstead. She did not have an age for Sweet.

Pullen said the charges the men face are related to incidents at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

An arrest warrant for Packer said he has been charged with two counts: violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority.

Keith Kimball, the supervisory assistant federal public defender in Norfolk, said his office will attend Packer's initial public appearance in case Packer requests and qualifies for court appointed counsel.

An arrest warrant for Sweet did not appear in federal records.

A mob of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building last week following a rally the president held. Trump insists he won November's presidential election against now-President-elect Joe Biden.

A Capitol police officer died from injuries suffered in the riot, and police shot and killed a woman during the siege. Three other people died in what authorities said were medical emergencies. Lawmakers had to scramble for safety and hide as rioters took control of the Capitol, delaying by hours the tally of Electoral College votes that was the last step in finalizing Biden’s victory.