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FBI: Rochester man arrested after smashing window at Capitol, threatening to kill Pence and Pelosi

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Posted at 2:12 PM, Jan 15, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-15 14:12:10-05

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WKBW) — The FBI says it has arrested a Rochester man who smashed a window at the U.S. Capitol during riots last Wednesday and according to witnesses, threatened to kill Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

According to a criminal complaint, Dominic Pezzola known as "Spaz" was arrested on Friday for obstruction of an official proceeding, destruction of government property and restricted buildings or grounds in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.

The complaint says that the FBI uncovered pictures and videos of a man smashing a window at the Capitol with a clear plastic shield, and then he entered the building.

In the complaint, Pezzola posted a video on social media of him inside the Capitol saying ,“victory smoke in the Capitol, boys."

According to a witness cited in the criminal complaint, Pezzola who was with a group of rioters who said that anyone they got their hands on they would have killed, including Nancy Pelosi.

In addition, Pezzola and the group of rioters said that they would have killed [Vice President] Mike Pence if given the chance, according to the witness cited in the complaint.

Pezzola is making an initial appearance before a U.S. Judge, Friday afternoon.