Capitol rioter accused of encouraging assault of NYT photographer arrested

Authorities have arrested a Pennsylvania woman accused of entering the Capitol on Jan. 6, during which she allegedly filmed and encouraged the attack of a New York Times photographer. 

According to charging papers obtained by The Washington Post, Sandra Weyer has been charged with obstructing Congress and the certification of the 2020 presidential election. She has also reportedly been charged with four misdemeanor counts of trespassing and disorderly and disruptive conduct.

Authorities said in the charging papers that Weyer was identified in part by social media photos that matched footage from inside the Capitol on the day of the attack. In one video, Weyer is allegedly seen encouraging others to assault a photographer for The New York Times. 

The Post noted that photographer Erin Schaff wrote an account describing being attacked the day of the riot. She said she was knocked down, a camera was broken and members of the mob had angrily questioned what news outlet she worked for. 

According to the Post, the FBI said it analyzed a video that shows Weyer yelling and calling a photographer a “traitor” and encouraging mob members to “mace her.” Another video captures Weyer saying the photographer is “anti-Trump, let’s put it that way, that’s why they removed her.”

The arrest and charges mark the latest as law enforcement continues to track down those involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. 

Last week, one of the first sentencings related to Jan. 6 was handed down. In the case, an Indiana woman was ordered by the court to pay a $500 fine and complete 40 hours of community service in addition to three years of probation.