A retired NYPD cop was charged on Tuesday for viciously attacking a D.C. police officer with a pole during last month's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, prosecutors said.
Thomas Webster, 54, was arrested by FBI agents near his Hudson Valley home. At an arraignment on Tuesday, prosecutors said that Webster, a 20-year NYPD veteran who previously served in the Marines, brought a gun and a bulletproof vest to the deadly January 6th riot.
According to a federal complaint, the Trump-supporting ex-cop was seen on video charging past a police line and beating a Metropolitan Police Department officer with a metal flagpole that was previously flying the Marines flag. “You fucking piece of shit. You fucking Commie motherfuckers, man," Webster allegedly shouted. "Come on, take your shit off."
Webster than tackled the officer to the ground, "straddling him while he tries to forcibly remove [the officer's] face shield and gas mask," the complaint states. The unidentified officer later told federal authorities that he was being choked by his chin strap and couldn't breathe.
Assistant US Attorney Ben Gianforti suggested on Tuesday that Webster's bullet-proof vest indicated he'd come to the rally prepared for armed conflict. "He goes after that cop like a junkyard dog," Gianforti said. "Teeth bared. Fists clenched."
He was later seen inside the Capitol building, including in one video telling the camera: "Send more patriots. We need some help." Photos of the incident were first circulated by the FBI nearly four weeks ago — earning Webster the "eye gouger" moniker on social media.
An attorney for Webster, James Monroe, said that his client traveled to D.C. to take part in a protest "urged on by our former president." He did not dispute that Webster was seen on video assaulting the officer, but pointed to his marital status, military service, and his two decades as an NYPD officer to argue for his release on bail.
According to NBC New York, when Webster saw his image was being circulated by the authorities in late January, he went to Monroe who recommended he surrender as a sign of "good faith."
An analysis by NPR fond that military veterans were over-represented among the violent mob that stormed the Capitol. The NYPD said last month that it was investigating at least one officer who may have taken part in the insurrection — though Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday that there was no current evidence to suggest active-duty officers were involved.
Webster faces charges of assaulting an officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, disorderly conduct, and other charges. His request for bail was denied on Tuesday by Judge Andrew Krause.
“The conduct on the video does shock the conscience," Krause said. "What we see is a person who flat out attacks a law enforcement officer."
It is unclear when Webster retired from the police department. The NYPD did not respond to a request seeking comment.
