Thread by @MacFarlaneNews

NOW: Court hearing for newly charged US Capitol Police officer. Officer Michael Riley is accused of obstruction... of warning Facebook friend who was at Capitol on Jan 6 to delete pictures

One alleged message: "I'm a Capitol police officer who agrees w/ your political stance"

More of alleged warning message sent by Capitol Police officer to suspected Jan 6 participant: "Take down the part about being in the building they are currently investigating and everyone who was in the building is going to be charged"

Feds allege Capitol Police officer Riley deleted his facebook messages with suspected Jan 6 participant... after the suspect alerted him that the FBI was asking questions ==>

Hearing is beginning now ... before federal magistrate judge Michael Harvey

Officer Riley, 50, is being sworn-in

Grand jury has indicted Riley on two counts of Obstruction of Justice (each is 20-year max federal charges)

High-profile DC attorney David Benowitz will serve as Riley's defense attorney. Benowitz is also handling a number of cases involving Jan 6 defendants

Feds will NOT seek to hold Riley is pretrial detention.
Prosecutors want court to order Riley make regular check-ins, prohibit international travel and retain no "firearms" ...

Judge instructs Riley that all firearms must be removed from Riley's home.

Judge schedules Riley to return to court October 26 at 12:30p (virtually) for arraignment

Feds allege USCP officer Michael Riley warned a suspected Jan 6 participant to "get off of social media" after the riot

And they say the suspect later invoked "fake news" response to another warning from Riley ===>

Riley, 50, is a 25-year veteran of the US Capitol Police Dept and member of the agency's K-9 unit