CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — 7 Eyewitness News has learned Pete Harding has been taken into custody and is expected to appear in United States District Court on Thursday.
EDITOR'S NOTE: 7 Eyewitness News has chosen to use Harding's booking photo on its digital and broadcast platforms in accordance to its mugshot policy. Harding's image falls into one of three protocol under which we publish mugshots: "The crime is sufficiently newsworthy that the inclusion of the person's image is of more significant value to the viewer." Read our mugshot policy here.
Niagara County Sheriff's Office inmate records show Harding was booked into county jail Wednesday evening and is being held on behalf of the U.S. Marshal Service.
Harding is scheduled for an "initial appearance on criminal complaint" in court Thursday afternoon.
This comes hours after the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time.
The FBI searched the Cheektowaga home ofHarding early Wednesday, who was seen entering the U.S. Capitol during the riots last week.
Peter Harding’s home was searched this morning by the FBI. It was considered “court authorized activity,” by an FBI spokesperson. Harding was not arrested, he is still wanted by the FBI. @wkbw pic.twitter.com/UIcqqZs7XL
— Jeff Rusack (@JeffRusack) January 13, 2021
This comes after the FBI put a photo of Harding on its list of people who unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.
The #FBI is asking for the public's help in identifying individuals who unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Visit https://t.co/0JO0XyU8QG to see a new poster with more people, and if you see someone familiar, submit a tip at https://t.co/buMd8vYXzH. pic.twitter.com/sj22HXTWok
— FBI (@FBI) January 13, 2021
The cause for the search according to the FBI was for a "court authorized activity" and Harding was not arrested at the home.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York James Kennedy sent the following earlier this week
Since late Wednesday, my Office has been working around the clock with both the Buffalo and Washington Field Offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to pursue all leads, to gather evidence, and to bring to justice those who committed crimes at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Any suggestion, direct or implied, that there is undue delay, a political purpose, or race-based reason why charges have not yet been filed against any Western New York resident is incorrect, unfounded, and frankly, offensive. I think most people recognize the danger inherent in advocating for a criminal justice system that is more concerned with getting things done quickly than getting them done correctly. As U.S. Attorney, I have refused—and will continue to refuse—to succumb to political pressure or to serve any factional interest. My job is to do my best to get things right and to see to it that the law and justice are the only interests served by me and those who work so hard in this Office.
