A former candidate for the Virginia school board has been accused of attacking police during the riot in the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.
Richard C. Forestal, a 38-year-old former candidate for Virginia’s Bedford County school board, has been charged with five federal crimes for his involvement in the riots that occurred in the Capitol building. Forestal is accused of crossing the no-entry line, threatening to attack a police officer, and using a flag pole to hit an officer on the head.
While details of the incident are still unclear, newly released video footage from Capitol Hill security cameras shows the moment Forestal allegedly crossed the barricade and drove his flag pole into a police officer’s head.
In the footage, Forestal can be seen pushing past the officers who were trying to keep him away from the Capitol building and then trying to use the flag pole to push officers away. After droves of rioters began to enter the building, police officers attempted to restrain Forestal and ultimately placed him in handcuffs.
Forestal had recently run for a seat on the Bedford County school board but withdrew his candidacy just days before the election. He was also a vocal critic of the 2020 presidential election results. His Facebook profile reveals that he had posted several messages in support of President Donald Trump and his legal challenges.
Forestal faces five counts of assaulting police officers, along with obstructing law enforcement and entering a restricted area. He is currently in federal custody and is expected to appear in court later this week.
