In a notable case linked to the events of January 6, 2021, a funeral home owner from Long Island has admitted to his role in a violent incident at the U.S. Capitol. On Thursday, Peter Moloney, a 60-year-old resident of Bayport, New York, entered a guilty plea for using a can of wasp spray against law enforcement officers and attacking two journalists, one of whom was a photographer for the Associated Press.
Scheduled for sentencing on February 11 by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, Moloney accepted responsibility for his actions during the Capitol riot. His defense attorney, Edward Heilig, conveyed that Moloney expresses profound regret for his behavior on that fateful day.
Evidence presented in court suggested that Moloney arrived with a readiness for confrontation, as he was equipped with protective gear and insecticide. An FBI affidavit indicated that video footage confirmed he directed the wasp spray at police officers who were attempting to maintain order during the chaos.
Additionally, the affidavit revealed Moloney’s involvement in the aggression towards journalists. He was observed seizing an AP photographer’s camera and forcibly pulling it, leading to the photographer losing his balance on a flight of stairs. Subsequently, Moloney was reported to have physically assaulted the photographer through punching and shoving, with other rioters contributing by pushing the photographer over a wall.
In a separate incident, Moloney confronted another journalist, grappling with his camera in a manner that caused the journalist to fall and resulted in damage to the equipment, as outlined in the plea agreement document.
Moloney pleaded guilty to felony assault for the attack on four officers, an offense that could result in up to eight years in prison. He also accepted a guilty plea for misdemeanor assault concerning the damaged camera, which carries a maximum sentence of one year. Furthermore, he acknowledged the assault on the AP photographer as part of his admissions.
The Moloney Family Funeral Homes co-owner was taken into custody in June 2023. Following his arrest, his brother and business partner, Dan Moloney, stated that their family’s values do not align with the actions of Peter Moloney, emphasizing the company’s dedication to trust within a diverse community.
As of now, over 1,500 individuals have faced federal charges connected to the January 6 uprising, with upwards of 950 having entered guilty pleas. Additionally, more than 200 individuals have faced convictions through trials presided over by judges or juries.