Source: United States Department of Justice News
WASHINGTON – An Arkansas man pleaded guilty today to the felony charge of assaulting a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Officer during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol Breach. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Peter Francis Stager, 43, of Conway, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 24, 2023.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Stager was part of a large, armed mob on the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol building. After other members of the crowd pulled MPD Officer B.M. off of the police line and down a set of steps, Stager repeatedly struck Officer B.M. with a flagpole while the officer was prone on the steps. On January 6, 2021, Stager was recorded pointing to the U.S. Capitol building and stating, “Everybody in there is a disgrace. That entire building is filled with treasonous traitors. Death is the only remedy for what’s in that building.” He also stated, “every single one of those Capitol law enforcement officers, death is the remedy, that is the only remedy they get.”
Stager was arrested on January 14, 2021.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Little Rock Field Office and Washington Field Office, which listed Stager as #80 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.
In the 25 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 985 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including approximately 319 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.