A funeral home owner from Long Island has pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers and journalists during the Capitol riot that took place nearly four years ago. Peter Moloney, 60, of Bayport, New York, admitted to spraying wasp killer at police officers and attacking two journalists, including an Associated Press photographer, during the siege at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Moloney is set to be sentenced on February 11 by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols. His defence attorney, Edward Heilig, stated that Moloney takes full responsibility for his actions on that day and deeply regrets his conduct during the riot. According to an FBI agent’s affidavit, Moloney was equipped with protective gear, including eyewear and a helmet, and had a can of insecticide, indicating he came prepared for violence.
Video evidence shows Moloney spraying insecticide at officers and participating in an attack on an AP photographer. He grabbed the photographer’s camera, causing them to stumble down the stairs, and proceeded to punch and shove the journalist. Moloney also assaulted another journalist by grabbing and damaging his camera, causing him to stumble down stairs as well.
The funeral home owner pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge for spraying wasp killer at police officers, which carries a maximum prison sentence of eight years. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for assaulting the journalist whose camera was damaged, with a maximum prison sentence of one year. Moloney also admitted to assaulting the AP photographer.
Following his arrest in June 2023, Peter Moloney’s brother and co-owner of Moloney Family Funeral Homes, Dan Moloney, stated that his actions were not reflective of their business’s values. Peter Moloney has since left the family business. More than 1,500 individuals have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot, with over 950 of them already pleading guilty.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing legal repercussions faced by those involved in the events at the U.S. Capitol, with a significant number of individuals having already faced convictions or trials in connection with the riot.