//South Carolina man charged in Capitol riot denies being there

South Carolina man charged in Capitol riot denies being there

A South Carolina man is facing federal charges for his role in the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, according to a newly published federal complaint.

Federal court records show Andrew Hatley is accused of entering or remaining in a restricted building, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol Grounds with intent to impede government business, disorderly or disruptive conduct on Capitol Buildings or Grounds and parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol Building.

The complaint identifies Hatley in a selfie taken in front of a statue of John Caldwell Calhoun, a former South Carolina member of Congress who fiercely supported slavery, according to Clemson University.

According to investigators, another image shows Hatley in a separate location wearing a green respirator. Federal court records show a witness shared a tip at 4:18 p.m. on Jan. 6 identifying Hatley.

“(The witness) stated Hatley had driven from his residence in South Carolina on January 5, 2020, in a red Ford Mustang, early 2000s model, to attend the protests for the election,” the complaint said. “(The witness) has known Hatley for several years. (The witness) provided a picture to the FBI, which Hatley had taken of himself and another unknown male subject in front of a statue in the U.S. Capitol building. (The witness) had obtained the picture from another witness, who advised that it had obtained the photograph from Hatley himself.”

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/south-carolina-man-charged-federally-for-role-in-capitol-insurrection/275-2cbce4b9-97e2-45a9-9bdb-5e3d7c6998a9