Sandpoint man tied to Capitol siege arrested

Federal agents arrested a Sandpoint man Friday morning in connection to the Jan. 6 riot at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Michael Pope was arrested without incident on charges of obstruction or impeding an official proceeding, civil disorder, 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, impeding passage through the Capitol grounds, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Pope made a virtual appearance at the U.S. District Courthouse in Boise Friday afternoon.

Shortly after his arrest, Pope’s brother — William — was arrested in Topeka, Kansas, on similar charges by members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with officers from the Topeka Police Department.

The Pope brothers represent the 220th and 221st people nationwide who have been charged with crimes stemming from the Capitol attack, when a rally demanding an end to the Congressional certification of now-President Joe Biden turned into a violent siege on the Capitol building. At least three people — a Capitol police officer and two rioters — were killed in the violence. Two others died on the scene, and two police officers protecting the Capitol killed themselves in the ensuing days.

The Capitol riot has been the focus of this week’s impeachment proceedings aimed at convicting former President Donald Trump. Those proceedings are expected to wrap up over the weekend, as early as Saturday afternoon.