Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs arrested in Florida in connection with the Capitol riot

Authored by edition.cnn.com and submitted by jaffacakes077

(CNN) A leader of the Proud Boys, an extremist group that took part in the US Capitol insurrection, was taken into custody and is facing charges, federal officials said.

Cybersecurity expert: Groups like Proud Boys need to be treated like ISIS online

Cybersecurity expert: Groups like Proud Boys need to be treated like ISIS online 02:50

Biggs appeared in court in Orlando on Wednesday and was released under home confinement and other restrictions, according to his court file. A lawyer who represented him in court did not respond to a request for comment.

Ahead of the Capitol riot, Biggs posted messages on Parler , the social media platform favored by the far right, telling his followers to blend in and not wear identifiable clothing, an FBI special agent wrote in the affidavit.

"The only thing we'll do that's us is think like us! Jan 6th is gonna be epic," Biggs wrote, according to the affidavit. The document says Biggs was also directing his statements at Antifa.

Authorities say Biggs said, "This is awesome!" on livestreamed footage of rioters entering the Capitol building, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit states it appears the Proud Boys were wearing earpieces for communication that day.

"Your affiant also notes that multiple individuals were photographed or depicted on videos with earpieces, including other individuals believed to be associated with the Proud Boys," the FBI affidavit says.

The charges are among a recent spate of federal cases that allege planning and organization among far-right groups.

The FBI said that Biggs told agents he entered the Capitol but not by using force, and denied knowing about any planning for the storming of the building.

Biggs has been a fixture in other mass gatherings involving the Proud Boys.

He is known for his extreme rhetoric against Antifa members, the black-clad left-wingers who maintain they are fighting fascism and often crash far-right events.

DrunkenOlympian on January 21st, 2021 at 02:40 UTC »

David Cross has really let himself go.

Snaker12 on January 21st, 2021 at 02:33 UTC »

That's the oldest 37 year old I've ever seen

Superman246o1 on January 21st, 2021 at 02:20 UTC »

Well, well, well...if it isn't the consequences of one's actions...