BOCA RATON, Fla. – Federal authorities arrested a South Florida man Thursday, after they accused him of joining a mob of rioters who attacked police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Richard Cook, 37, of Boca Raton, faces charges of civil disorder, a felony, and related misdemeanor offenses, prosecutors said.
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According to a U.S. Department of Justice news release, Cook “was among rioters who repeatedly engaged in violence against law enforcement officers guarding the Capitol” and participated in a confrontation with police in the building’s Lower West Terrace and tunnel areas.
“He entered the tunnel on the Lower West Terrace at approximately 3:12 p.m., making his way into the mob of rioters who were coordinating pushes against police officers while yelling ‘HEAVE HO!’ and ‘PUSH!’” the release states. “Cook entered the tunnel two separate times to assist in the collective pushes against police officers as the rioters tried to gain access to the Capitol building.”
Prosecutors said while Cook joined in the collective pushes, “one police officer screamed in pain as the weight of the rioters’ pushes pinned him between a shield and a door.”
They said Cook was identified as photograph #185 in a montage of images of alleged rioters sought by the FBI.
Cook joins nearly 1,000 people arrested in connection with the attack.
He also adds to the list of the more than 100 Floridians charged with Jan. 6-related crimes, the most of any state.
Anyone with information on other suspects is asked to call the FBI at 800-225-5324.