Proud Boys organizer arrested in Central Florida, accused of participating in U.S. Capitol riot, feds say

ORLANDO, Fla. — A 37-year-old Florida man was arrested this week accused of participating in the riots in the U.S. Capitol earlier this month.

Federal investigators said Joseph Biggs is a member of the Proud Boys, a group that describes itself as a “pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists.”

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Investigators said Biggs, who describes himself as an organizer of Proud Boys events, encouraged members of the group to gather in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6.

According to an arrest affidavit, Biggs told investigators that he was in Washington, D.C., during the riot and that he entered the Capitol building after rioters breached the entrance.

Investigators said they identified Biggs in several photos and videos shared from inside the Capitol.

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FBI asking for help identifying rioters The FBI is asking for help to identify rioters who instigated violence Wednesday, breaking into the U.S. Capitol and surrounding area in Washington. (FBI)

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In one video, investigators said the man they believe to be Biggs speaks to the camera.

“In the video, a voice off camera says, ‘Hey Biggs, what do you gotta say?’ The person depicted below smiles broadly and replies, ‘this is awesome!’ before pulling his gaiter up to cover his face,” investigators wrote in the affidavit.

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Investigators said Biggs had traces of cocaine and hallucinogenic mushrooms in his system at the time of his arrest.

He is being held on $25,000 bond and, if convicted, faces 20 years in prison.

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