ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Two men are now facing felony charges in connection to the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot in 2021.

According to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), the pair’s actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress and the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

On Aug. 31, 37-year-old Peter Willey, from Roanoke, and 31-year-old Ethan Mauck, from Troutville, Pennsylvania, were both arrested in Roanoke. The pair was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder.

The DOJ reports, Willey and Mauck were charged with the following:

  • misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds
  • disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds
  • disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds

According to court documents, Willey and Mauck were both seen on video allegedly entering the restricted grounds of the Capitol, and pushing toward bike rack barricades and the police line, on Lower West Plaza. This is where the incident between rioters and law enforcement occurred.

The DOJ said around 2:50 p.m. on Jan. 6, Willey and Mauck were allegedly seen entering the Lower West Terrance tunnel, where rioters struggled, and fought with police for several hours. About five minutes later, the pair were seen allegedly pushing against the police line in unison.

According to DOJ, since the Jan. 6 riots, more than 1,106 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. This included over 350 people who have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section

  • Willey (outlined in red) and Mauck (outlined in yellow) allegedly participating in the riot on the Lower West Plaza. (Photo courtesy: DOJ)
  • Mauck (outlined in yellow) and Willey (outlined in red) allegedly approaching the U.S. Capitol as rioters breached the secure perimeter to their right. (Photo courtesy: DOJ)
  • Willey (outline in red) participating in the “Stop the Steal” demonstration on the National Mall and holding up his cellular phone. Mauck (outlined in yellow) standing close (Photo courtesy: DOJ)
  • Photograph of Ethan Mauck circled in red. (Photo courtesy: DOJ)
  • Grey-hooded champion shirt identified as Peter Willey (Photo Courtesy: DOJ)