Swansea man arrested for actions during Jan. 6 Capitol riot

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves said a Swansea man was arrested Thursday on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the Jan 6. Capitol riots.

Michael St. Pierre was charged with a felony offense of civil disorder as well as several misdemeanors including destruction of government property, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and committing an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

St. Pierre was accused of traveling from his home to Washington D.C. to take part in the riot.

Video footage allegedly showed the 46-year-old throwing an object through the open exterior doors at a set of interior doors of the Capitol building as well as throwing objects at doors that Capitol police officers were behind.

Graves said that video footage also showed St. Pierre encouraging others to push through police, including using a megaphone.

There is also audio in the video in which a man identified as St. Pierre can be heard saying the Capitol is “where the meeting ground is. Hopefully, they’ll bust through, and I’ll join them to rush the Capitol, to grab Nancy Pelosi by the hair.”

Another piece of audio has the man saying “we need everybody, let’s get in the Capitol.”

Graves said St. Pierre was arrested in Fall River without incident and will make his initial appearance in the District of Massachusetts.