Since the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, federal authorities have arrested more than 300 people, with the latest being a fifth man charged in the attack on police officer Daniel Fanone.
Michael Lopatic was arrested on Saturday and charged with civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, physical violence on Capitol grounds and aiding and abetting and other related offenses. According to court documents, Lopatic is accused of aiding and abetting others in assaulting Fanone as he attempted to defend the Capitol.
The criminal complaint also states that Lopatic is believed to have provided aid and comfort to his fellow rioters during the incident, helping to prop open the damaged doors of the Capitol to allow more rioters inside. Lopatic is also accused of disobeying instructions to leave the building given by Fanone and other law enforcement.
The arrests come as the U.S. Justice Department takes a hard stance on punishing those responsible for the riot. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Michael Sherwin has said his office is “aggressively” pursuing all potential criminal cases related to the attack and that he will “leave no stone unturned” in seeking justice and bringing those responsible to account.
