One of the two former Rocky Mount police officers charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol entered a guilty plea on Friday.
During a federal court hearing, Jacob Fracker, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to disrupt an official proceeding as part of a plea agreement.
Thomas Robertson, 49, was also a member of the Rocky Mount Police Department prior to attending the riot and is also facing federal charges.
In his plea, Fracker admitted that by the time he and Robertson entered the Capitol, they had agreed to attempt to impede, stop, or delay the proceedings going on before Congress and that they aided, assisted, encouraged, and facilitated each other in the conduct.
As part of his agreement, Fracker will cooperate with the government in its investigation.
He faces up to five years in prison and a potential fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date will be set later in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia released the following statement after Fracker’s plea on Friday.
According to the evidence shared during Friday’s hearing:
- Thomas Robertson, who was also a member of the Rocky Mount Police Department, and is facing federal charges, made post to social media before January 6 referencing “an open-armed rebellion” saying that he “knew a lot of like-minded and trained individuals” he would take with him
- Robertson invited Fracker to join him on the trip to Washington, D.C.
- Fracker packed three gas masks for the trip as he, Robertson and another person went to DC
- After listening to speeches that day, the three walked down Pennsylvania Ave. and entered a restricted area of the U.S. Capitol
- The three wore gas masks as they approached the building
- Robertson had a large wooden stick with him and both Fracker and Robertson stood in the path of officers.
- Fracker entered the U.S. Capitol through the Senate wing door.
- Robertson entered the building a few minutes after him at 2:16 p.m.
- Both reunited in the Capitol Crypt and made a selfie using an obscene gesture in front of the statue of John Stark
- Both men used their cell phones to take videos and photos inside the building and post on social media
In August, both Fracker and Robertson denied plea offers from the government.
Both men previously served as members of the Rocky Mount Police Department until they were fired following charges being filed against them.
Fracker previously entered a not guilty plea during a February 2021 hearing.
His sentencing is scheduled for April 28 at 11 a.m.
10 News has followed this story closely since it began. Here’s a look at what we’ve published, from newest to oldest:
- Former Rocky Mount officers charged in Jan. 6 riots face April trial – Dec. 19, 2021
- Former Rocky Mount officers charged in Jan. 6 riots reject federal plea deals – Aug. 17, 2021
- Hearing date set as former Rocky Mount officers charged in connection with Capitol riot offered plea deal – Aug. 3
- US offers plea deal to former Rocky Mount officers charged in connection to Capitol riot – July 30
- Judge rules in favor of US, former Rocky Mount officer charged in connection to Capitol riot has release revoked – July 28
- Judge delays decision on release of former Rocky Mount officer charged in connection to Capitol riots – July 21
- Hearing over whether former Rocky Mount officer violated terms of release rescheduled – July 15
- US again pushes to have former Rocky Mount officer detained for violating terms of release – July 12
- Former Rocky Mount officer opposes US motion to revoke his release – July 5
- US looks to revoke former Rocky Mount police officer’s release after rifle, partially assembled pipe bomb found at his home – June 30
- Prosecution files motion to delay former Rocky Mount officers’ federal hearing on Capitol riot charges – April 21
- Former Rocky Mount officers plead not guilty to charges, barred from possessing firearms while awaiting trial – Feb. 25
- Former Rocky Mount officers plead not guilty to four federal charges against them – Feb. 2
- Two former Rocky Mount police officers each indicted on four federal charges connected to Capitol riots – Feb. 1
- Family member, local activist react to Rocky Mount police officers firing – Jan. 26
- Two Rocky Mount officers charged in Capitol riots have been fired – Jan. 26
- Rocky Mount cops claim innocence during Capitol riots, but federal warrant says otherwise – Jan. 23
- Rocky Mount officers charged in Capitol riots suspended without pay – Jan. 23
- Rocky Mount officer charged in Capitol riots doesn’t give up guns before court-mandated deadline – Jan. 20
- Rocky Mount releases first statement naming officers who were inside the US Capitol – Jan. 14
- Two Rocky Mount police officers now each face 2 federal charges in connection with storming of US Capitol – Jan. 13
- Photo surfaces showing two Rocky Mount police officers inside Capitol on Wednesday – Jan. 10
Source: WSLS News 10