Former Rocky Mount police officer Thomas Robertson has been indicted on charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021 and will be in federal court on Monday.
10 News will have a reporter in federal court covering the trial. Check back here Monday for live updates.
At the end of March, 49-year-old Roberston was indicted on the following by a grand jury:
- Obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting
- Civil disorder and aiding and abetting
- Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds
- Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds
- Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building
- Obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting
Robertson is one of two former Rocky Mount officers charged for participating in the riot.
Investigators say Robertson and 30-year-old Jacob Fracker, also a former officer with the Rocky Mount Police Department, posted a selfie on social media that showed that they were inside the U.S. Capitol during the time of the riots. The two officers reportedly took to social media to brag about their involvement in the riots on social media as well.
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 police officer Thomas Robertson indicted on more charges connected to Jan. 6 riot – March 24, 2022
- Former Rocky Mount police officer Jacob Fracker pleads guilty to Jan. 6 riot charge – March 18, 2022
- 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