Long Island Business Owner Arrested and Charged with Eight Counts in Connection with Capitol Attack

A well-known Long Island business owner was arrested by the FBI on Wednesday and charged with eight counts in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Peter Moloney, 58, was arrested in Bayport, New York, and faces charges of felony civil disorder, assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and assault by striking, among other misdemeanor charges.

According to charging documents unsealed on Wednesday, Moloney allegedly sprayed insecticide at police officers and targeted members of the news media during the attack. He was also found to have brought protective eyewear, a helmet, and a can of Black Flag Wasp, Hornet & Yellow Jacket Killer2 to the Capitol.

The FBI special agent in charge of the case said in an affidavit that Moloney’s actions “indicate that he went to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, with the intent to impede, disrupt, and disturb the orderly conduct of business by the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.”

Moloney is the owner of a chain of funeral homes on Long Island and is being held in custody pending a hearing. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

The FBI has been actively investigating the attack on the Capitol and has charged more than 300 individuals in connection with the incident. The agency has urged anyone with information about the attack to contact them.