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New court filing for Fort Pierce man related to Capitol riot

Tony Mariotto, 52, faces 5 counts in federal court
Tony Mariotto "selfie" Capitol riot background
Posted at 9:09 AM, Feb 11, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-12 18:59:17-05

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article stated that Anthony Mariotto faced new federal charges related to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. He does not face additional charges. Mr. Mariotto faces the same five federal charges that were initially filed against him in the January criminal complaint. We apologize for the error.

A new court filing lists the federal charges against a Fort Pierce man after a social media picture showed him inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot.

Tony Mariotto, 52, faces five counts, federal court records show.

Mariotto is charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, entering and remaining in the Gallery of Congress, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, according to a Monday court filing.

The document claims Mariotto engaged in "disruptive conduct … with the intent to impede, disrupt and disturb the orderly conduct of a session of Congress or either House of Congress."

Mariotto was arrested last month on charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

During an interview with WPTV shortly after his arrest, Mariotto didn't dispute the allegations of unlawfully entering the Capitol, but he denied ever participating in any violence.

Fort Pierce man: 'I just thought I was doing something patriotic'

"I don't ever advocate violence," he told WPTV reporter Meghan McRoberts.

Mariotto, who was in Washington to show his support for then-President Donald Trump, said he believed he "was doing something patriotic" and takes full responsibility for what he did.

His arrest came after a social media post showed him taking a "selfie" in the Capitol chambers.

"I just didn't think of it at that time," Mariotto said. "I mean, now I look back and I'm thinking, well, it is trespassing, but I didn't think about it at the time. I just don't know how to explain it. It's just an overwhelming feeling to get in there with all the other patriots."