A MAGA rioter, who was arrested for participating in the U.S. Capitol insurrection on January 6 incited by former President Donald Trump, claimed Americans were being "robbed" of an election.
But Newsweek reported the insurrectionist had a long history of committing robbery.
Mark Ponder told the FBI in an interview he went to the Capitol building because he was frustrated the former Attorney General William Barr and the Supreme Court did not do enough to investigate the election.
Said Ponder:
"You cannot stand if someone is going to take it from you, if you are going to get robbed."
"And you go to work every day and you go outside and somebody robs you. That's something you can't take, right?... And that's how I feel about this election."
But despite being someone who "cannot stand" such an injustice as robbery—as he claimed about 45's reelection—Ponder himself has two robbery convictions.
The news publication revealed:
"In 2008, he admitted to entering a PNC bank, demanding money and walking out with $2,469."
"A week later, he admitted to stealing a taxi after he forced the driver and a passenger out of the vehicle."
Twitter was quick to point out the irony of Ponder's being "robbed" complaint.
Unsealed charging papers revealed Ponder was released 25 minutes after being arrested on January 6 for swinging a pole at a group of Metropolitan Police Department officers and hitting one officer outside the U.S. Capitol.
Ponder was allowed to walk away because the arresting officers were ordered back to control the crowds at the Capitol building where lawmakers were trying to resume with the certification of the election of President Joe Biden.
MPD officers led Ponder out of a barricaded area and had him provide an address before they returned to the Capitol to deescalate the chaotic scene.
The convicted robber faces allegations—including, Obstruction of Law Enforcement During Civil Disorder and Assaulting a Federal Officer with a Dangerous or Deadly Weapon.
The criminal complaint stated bodycam footage worn by an officer showed Ponder, "wielding that pole in an aggressive manner as officers attempt to control the crowd" and "running toward a line of officers with the long thin pole, then attacking a uniformed officer by striking that officer with the pole."
At least 312 people were charged by federal prosecutors in connection to the Capitol riot and at least 100 more are expected to be charged.
The government said in a March 12 court filing:
"The Capitol Attack is likely the most complex investigation ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice."
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