: Ex-Capitol Police officer charged with obstruction tells jury he is embarrassed by Facebook chat with Jan. 6 rioter #IndiaNEWS #International WASHINGTON — A former police officer charged with obstruction

Ex-Capitol Police officer charged with obstruction tells jury he is embarrassed by Facebook chat with Jan. 6 rioter #IndiaNEWS #International
WASHINGTON — A former police officer charged with obstruction for telling a Jan. 6 rioter to remove a Facebook post about being in the U. S. Capitol testified Monday that he was embarrassed about having spoken to the man, who he claims duped him about his level of involvement in the attack.
Michael Riley, who sent messages to Jan. 6 rioter Jacob Hiles shortly after the insurrection, when he was a U. S. Capitol Police officer, told jurors Monday that he believed Hiles when Hiles posted that he was forced into the Capitol by the pro-Trump mob.
Riley testified that he regrets having reached out to Hiles “every day??? and that it has been “the worst year of his life. Riley was charged in October 2021 and resigned from the department that month; the details of his departure and his current status have been concealed from jurors.
Under a plea deal with the government, Hiles pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to two years of probation, along with 60 hours of community service and 0 restitution.
Riley, who fishes in his free time, befriended Hiles, a boat captain with a social media following, shortly before the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. After another member of the Chesapeake fishing community tagged Riley in Hiles Facebook post about entering the Capitol, Riley sent a private message telling Hiles to take down the part of his post in which he admitted going into the building. Just looking out! Riley wrote in a message in which he said he shared Hiles’ political views. Hiles told the FBI about Rileys messages after he was arrested.
“I was embarrassed, because I had reached out to him in the first place and allowed myself to get in a position like this,??? Riley said in court Monday. “I never intended for any of this to happen. ???
He later deleted his Facebook messages with Hiles because he was extremely upset, he testified, insisting he wasnt trying to obstruct any investigation.
“I was mad at myself, and I was mad at Jake,??? Riley testified. “I was very upset that he was telling the FBI that we were buddies.
Jacob Hiles, indicated by the red circle, at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Dept. of Justice
The messages might suggest Riley was trying to help Hiles avoid charges, but Riley insisted to the jury that he thought Hiles would be charged if he went into the building regardless of his messages.
Assistant U. S. Attorney Anne P. McNamara asked Riley whether he had wanted Hiles charged.
“If he went into the building, yes,??? Riley said. “It’s not that I didn’t want him to be charged,??? Riley said — he just didn’t associate him with someone who had broken into the building or injured officers.

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