A former Virginia police officer has pleaded responsible to storming the U.S. Capitol throughout the riot on January 6, 2021.

Jacob Fracker, who beforehand served as a police officer in Rocky Mount, Virginia, pleaded responsible to conspiring to impede an official continuing. Fracker admitted to storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6 in an effort to cease members of Congress from certifying Joe Biden because the winner of the 2020 presidential election. He now joins the224 different individuals who have pleaded responsible to prices stemming from the riot, in response to the U.S. Division of Justice.

Fracker's co-defendant, Thomas Robertson, is predicted to go to trial on April 4.

In accordance with the indictment in opposition to Fracker, he and Robertson each wore fuel masks when breaking into the Capitol constructing. Robertson allegedly carried a wood stick that he used to stop Capitol cops from apprehending them. The 2 had been additionally joined by an unnamed neighbor.

Stop the Steal Capitol Lobby
Above, supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump protest contained in the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. One supporter, Jacob Fracker, has pleaded responsible on conspiracy prices to his function within the riots.Picture by Brent Stirton/Getty Photographs

The preliminary grievance in opposition to Fracker and Robertson said that the lads had admitted to their involvement within the Capitol riot on social media. The 2 took a photograph collectively in entrance of a statue of John Stark with their center fingers within the air. In a deleted Fb publish, Fracker is claimed to have posted "Lol to anybody who's probably involved concerning the image of me going round... Sorry I hate freedom?...Not like I did something unlawful...y'all do what you're feeling you have to..."

Robertson's social media response was extra direct, reportedly posting, "CNN and the Left are simply mad as a result of we really attacked the federal government who's the issue and never some random small enterprise ... The precise IN ONE DAY took the f***** U.S. Capitol. Hold poking us."

Fracker and Robertson had been each former Rocky Mount officers who had attended the Capitol riot collectively, in response to The Roanoke Instances. Each males had been fired afterward. In August 2021, the duo denied plea agreements made by prosecutors, with the small print of the agreements not being launched. Particulars on the present settlement made between Fracker and prosecutors have additionally not been made public.

In a court docket submitting obtained by the Related Press, prosecutors expressed concern over the truth that Fracker and Robertson had been cops partaking within the Capitol riot, as they had been breaking the legislation they swore to uphold.

"They broke this public belief once they participated within the riot on the U.S. Capitol," wrote the prosecutors of their submitting.

Fracker was additionally charged with obstruction of an official continuing, aiding and abetting, coming into and remaining in a restricted constructing or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted constructing or grounds, and violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol constructing or grounds.

Replace 03/18/22, 3:25 p.m. ET: This text was up to date with extra info.