Capitol Police officer charged with cover-up of other person’s role

A U.S. Capitol police officer was arrested Friday for obstruction of justice charges related to communications with a person later criminally charged for participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot by Trump supporters.

The cop, Michael Riley, allegedly told the other person to delete Facebook posts and also deleted his own Facebook messages to and from that person, according to a charging document.

Riley, who has served with the Capitol Police for nearly 25 years, is scheduled to appear today in U.S. District Court in Washington.

A Capitol Police spokesman said that Riley, who most recently worked as a K-9 technician, has been placed on administrative leave pending the resolution of his criminal case.

A grand jury indictment against Riley says that the other person on Jan. 1 accepted a Facebook friend request from the police officer.

That other person and Riley “did not know each other, but both were avid fisherman and members of fishing-related Facebook groups,” the indictment says.

Five days later, on Jan. 6, a mob of backers of then-President Donald Trump invaded the Capitol complex, disrupting the ongoing confirmation of President Joe Biden’s election by a joint session of Congress. Among the rioters who illegally entered the Capitol was the person who had accepted Riley’s friend request, the indictment says.

Riley was not on duty inside the Capitol building that day, but did respond to reports of an explosive device found near the complex that day, according to the indictment.

Five people died in connection with the riot, including a Capitol police officer, Brian Sicknick, who died on Jan. 7.

On Jan. 7, Riley contacted the other person via a Facebook direct message after that other person posted selfie photos, videos and commentary on Facebook revealing “his presence and conduct inside the U.S. Capitol” the prior day.

Riley, who had never communicated directly with the other person previously, wrote, “Hey … im a capitol police officer who agrees with your political stance,” the indictment says.

“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,” Riley allegedly wrote. “Just looking out!”

The indictment says that Riley and the other person ultimately exchanged “dozens more Facebook direct messages” on Jan. 7, and that the other person shared three videos with Riley showing that person “outside and inside the U.S. Capitol.”

“I get it … it was a total s— show!!!,”Riley responded at one point, the indictment alleges. “Just wanted to give you a heads up … Im glad you got out of there unscathed. We had over 50 officers hurt, some pretty bad.”

“Obstruction of Justice is a very serious allegation,” said Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger in a statement.

“The Department was notified about this investigation…