Daytona Beach, FL - Joe Biggs, a Volusia County resident and an organizer for the Proud Boys, is now facing federal charges after agents arrest him in connection to the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol Building.
A criminal complaint affidavit from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says Biggs was seen at the front of a crowd that marched from Constitution Avenue to First Street, where the Capitol sits. Around two hours after that group began marching, rioters began to breach the Capitol.
The affidavit further states that Biggs can be seen in multiple videos taken around the Capitol grounds. One video includes an interview that was broadcast on the Los Angeles based TV station, ABC7 KABC. Another cited video includes an archived live stream from social media site Parler that showed rioters entering the Capitol after breaking through a window.
In that video, Biggs was seen entering into the Capitol before being asked by someone in the crowd "Hey Biggs, what do you gotta say?" To which Biggs responded "this is awesome!"
Investigators have additionally cited social media messages from Parler that highlights Biggs' role in the events alongside Proud Boys—a male-only, far-right political organization. In the message, which was posted on or around December 29th, Biggs can be seen saying the Proud Boys will not show up to Washington DC on January 6th in "colors." Instead, Biggs claimed that the Proud Boys would "blend in" as Antifa—the "enemy" of the Proud Boys movement.
"We are going to smell like you, move like you, and look like you," wrote Biggs. "The only thing we’ll do that’s us is think like us! Jan 6th is gonna be epic."
Almost two weeks after the riot, Biggs spoke to investigators after video of him in the Capitol began to surface online. After investigators met with Biggs on January 18th, he admitted to entering the Capitol building without forcing entry, but denies any allegations of any event pre-planning and claims he does not know who organized it.
Biggs was arrested by federal agents at his Ormond Beach home on Wednesday (January 20th), the same day of President Joe Biden's inauguration.
