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Ex-cop who testified against friend avoids prison for Jan. 6
Read full article: Ex-cop who testified against friend avoids prison for Jan. 6A former Virginia police officer who testified against a friend and former supervisor he joined at the Capitol in the Jan. 6 insurrection has avoided prison time for his role in it.
Former Rocky Mount officer Jacob Fracker sentenced to 1 year of probation for Jan. 6 Capitol charge
Read full article: Former Rocky Mount officer Jacob Fracker sentenced to 1 year of probation for Jan. 6 Capitol chargeJacob Fracker, a former Rocky Mount officer, learned his fate Tuesday morning for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Feds ask for probation for former Rocky Mount police officer Jacob Fracker who stormed Capitol
Read full article: Feds ask for probation for former Rocky Mount police officer Jacob Fracker who stormed CapitolA former Virginia police officer who pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol with another off-duty officer deserves to avoid a prison sentence for his cooperation and trial testimony against the other officer, federal prosecutors argued in a court filing Tuesday.
Government requests former Rocky Mount officer be sentenced to 8 years for Jan. 6 involvement
Read full article: Government requests former Rocky Mount officer be sentenced to 8 years for Jan. 6 involvementThe federal government has requested that Thomas Robertson, a former Rocky Mount police officer, be sentenced to 8 years for his involvement in the Capitol riots on Jan. 6.
Former Rocky Mount officer submits letter to court before sentencing on Jan. 6 charges
Read full article: Former Rocky Mount officer submits letter to court before sentencing on Jan. 6 chargesThomas Robertson, a former Rocky Mount police officer who has been found guilty on all charges he faces in the Jan. 6 riots, has submitted a letter to the judge presiding over his case.
Jury to keep deliberating in former Rocky Mount police officer’s Capitol riot trial
Read full article: Jury to keep deliberating in former Rocky Mount police officer’s Capitol riot trialA federal jury is set to resume deliberating on Monday in the trial of a former Virginia police officer charged with storming the U.S. Capitol with another off-duty officer.
Ex-officer convicted of storming Capitol to disrupt Congress
Read full article: Ex-officer convicted of storming Capitol to disrupt CongressA federal jury has convicted a former Virginia police officer of storming the U.S. Capitol with another off-duty officer to obstruct Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.
Jury deliberating in ex-police officer's Capitol riot trial
Read full article: Jury deliberating in ex-police officer's Capitol riot trialA federal jury has begun deliberating in the case against a former Virginia police officer charged with storming the U.S. Capitol to obstruct Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.
Counsel rests, jury set to deliberate verdict of former Rocky Mount police officer in Capitol riot trial
Read full article: Counsel rests, jury set to deliberate verdict of former Rocky Mount police officer in Capitol riot trialOn the third day of the trial against former Rocky Mount police officer Thomas Robertson, the government and defense rested, which sets up the final stage of the trial — jury deliberations.
Ex-officer testifies against mentor at Capitol riot trial
Read full article: Ex-officer testifies against mentor at Capitol riot trialA former Virginia police officer who pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol with another off-duty officer has testified that he had hoped the mob could overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election that day.
Co-defendant testifies against former Rocky Mount police officer in Capitol riot trial
Read full article: Co-defendant testifies against former Rocky Mount police officer in Capitol riot trialOn day two of the trial against former Rocky Mount police officer Thomas Robertson, his former co-defendant testified against him in the final hours of proceedings Wednesday.
Opening statements begin in Capitol riot trial for former Rocky Mount officer
Read full article: Opening statements begin in Capitol riot trial for former Rocky Mount officerWith the jury assembled, the federal trial against the former Rocky Mount police officer charged for taking part in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots began.
Jury selection resumes for former Rocky Mount officer’s Capitol riot trial
Read full article: Jury selection resumes for former Rocky Mount officer’s Capitol riot trialJurors have heard conflicting explanations for why an off-duty police officer from Virginia entered the U.S. Capitol during last year's riot.
Former Rocky Mount police officer faces jury trial on Capitol riot charges
Read full article: Former Rocky Mount police officer faces jury trial on Capitol riot chargesOver a year ago, two off-duty police officers from a small town in Virginia were charged with storming the U.S. Capitol together. One of them is heading to trial and faced a courtroom full of potential jurors on Monday. The other could be a key prosecution witness.
Ex-police officer faces jury trial on Capitol riot charges
Read full article: Ex-police officer faces jury trial on Capitol riot chargesJury selection will resume Tuesday in the trial of a former Virginia police officer charged with storming the U.S. Capitol with a fellow officer who has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors.
TIMELINE: 10 News reports live from Washington on trial of Former Rocky Mount police officer charged in Jan. 6 riot
Read full article: TIMELINE: 10 News reports live from Washington on trial of Former Rocky Mount police officer charged in Jan. 6 riotFormer Rocky Mount police officer Thomas Robertson has been indicted on charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6.
Former Rocky Mount police officer Thomas Robertson indicted on more charges connected to Jan. 6 riot
Read full article: Former Rocky Mount police officer Thomas Robertson indicted on more charges connected to Jan. 6 riotFormer Rocky Mount police officer Thomas Robertson has been indicted on more charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot, according to court documents.
Ex-Va. officer, W.Va. lawmaker plead guilty in Capitol riot
Read full article: Ex-Va. officer, W.Va. lawmaker plead guilty in Capitol riotA former Virginia police officer has pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol with another former officer who is scheduled to be tried next month on charges related to the riot.
Former Rocky Mount police officer Jacob Fracker pleads guilty to Jan. 6 riot charge
Read full article: Former Rocky Mount police officer Jacob Fracker pleads guilty to Jan. 6 riot chargeOne 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.
Fincastle man, #JohnSprayne, arrested Wednesday, charged in connection with Jan. 6 riot
Read full article: Fincastle man, #JohnSprayne, arrested Wednesday, charged in connection with Jan. 6 riotAnother Southwest Virginia man has been arrested and charged in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Former Rocky Mount officers charged in Jan. 6 riots reject federal plea deals
Read full article: Former Rocky Mount officers charged in Jan. 6 riots reject federal plea dealsTwo former Rocky Mount police officers charged in connection with the Capitol riots have denied plea offers from the government.
Hearing date set as former Rocky Mount officers charged in connection with Capitol riot offered plea deal
Read full article: Hearing date set as former Rocky Mount officers charged in connection with Capitol riot offered plea dealWe now know when we’ll learn if two former Rocky Mount officers will accept a plea deal.
US offers plea deal to former Rocky Mount officers charged in connection to Capitol riot
Read full article: US offers plea deal to former Rocky Mount officers charged in connection to Capitol riotThe federal case against two former Rocky Mount police officers charged in connection with the January 6 capitol riots may not go to trial.
Judge delays decision on release of former Rocky Mount officer charged in connection to Capitol riots
Read full article: Judge delays decision on release of former Rocky Mount officer charged in connection to Capitol riotsA former Rocky Mount police officer facing charges after the Jan. 6 Capitol riots appeared before a judge on Wednesday morning.
US again pushes to have former Rocky Mount officer detained for violating terms of release
Read full article: US again pushes to have former Rocky Mount officer detained for violating terms of releaseThe United States is again pushing to have the former Rocky Mount officer charged in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol detained until his trial.
Former Rocky Mount officer opposes US motion to revoke his release
Read full article: Former Rocky Mount officer opposes US motion to revoke his releaseA former Rocky Mount police officer charged in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol is responding to the federal government’s motion to revoke his release.
US looks to revoke former Rocky Mount police officer’s release after rifle, partially-assembled pipe bomb found at his home
Read full article: US looks to revoke former Rocky Mount police officer’s release after rifle, partially-assembled pipe bomb found at his homeA former Rocky Mount police officer charged in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol may soon be in federal custody.
Prosecution files motion to delay former Rocky Mount officers’ federal hearing on Capitol riot charges
Read full article: Prosecution files motion to delay former Rocky Mount officers’ federal hearing on Capitol riot chargesTwo former Rocky Mount police officers charged in connection with the Capitol riots will likely have to wait longer for their next day in court.
Former Rocky Mount officers plead not guilty to charges, barred from possessing firearms while awaiting trial
Read full article: Former Rocky Mount officers plead not guilty to charges, barred from possessing firearms while awaiting trialOn Thursday the two former Rocky Mount police officers charged in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol appeared virtually in federal court. During the proceedings, the attorneys for Jacob Fracker, 29, and Thomas Robertson, 47, entered not guilty pleas for their clients. Both men are charged with obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, entering and remaining in a restricted building and disorderly conduct in the Capitol. Both men’s attorneys requested the video and body camera footage that prosecutors plan to use in their case; however, prosecutors want to protect that evidence. AdBoth men are currently released on recognizance, and because of that, they must follow certain requirements, one of which is not possessing firearms.
Former Rocky Mount officers plead not guilty to four federal charges against them
Read full article: Former Rocky Mount officers plead not guilty to four federal charges against themThe two former Rocky Mount police officers charged in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol last month pleaded not guilty on Tuesday afternoon. Jacob Fracker and Thomas Robertson have been indicted on the following charges in connection with the riots on Jan. 6:Obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abettingDisorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted buildingEntering and remaining in a restricted buildingDisorderly conduct in the CapitolBoth men were fired from the Rocky Mount Police Department last week. A date for their next hearing has not yet been announced. 10 News has followed this story closely since it began. Here’s a look at all we’ve published, from newest to oldest:
Two former Rocky Mount police officers each indicted on four federal charges connected to Capitol riots
Read full article: Two former Rocky Mount police officers each indicted on four federal charges connected to Capitol riotsThe two former Rocky Mount police officers charged in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol last month now face new charges. Both men were fired from the Rocky Mount Police Department last week. The two posted the photo above of themselves on social media inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m.10 News has followed this story closely since it began. Here’s a look at all we’ve published, from newest to oldest:
Family member, local activist react to Rocky Mount police officers firing
Read full article: Family member, local activist react to Rocky Mount police officers firingROCKY MOUNT, Va. – Jacob Fracker and Thomas Robertson are no longer employees of the Rocky Mount Police Department. Both were fired Tuesday, a few weeks after the photo above of them surfaced on social media, sparking a federal investigation. At the address listed for Fracker, his mother-in-law answered the door and said that he does not live there. Hopefully, this will be a lesson learned to all our future officers, integrity is with you on and off the clock.”The Town of Rocky Mount released a statement that reads:“The Rocky Mount Police Department has terminated employment for officers Jacob Fracker and Thomas Robertson effective Tuesday, January 26. The actions by two have driven our beautiful town into the national spotlight in ways that do not reflect our whole community and the people who call Rocky Mount home.
US police weigh officer discipline after rally, Capitol riot
Read full article: US police weigh officer discipline after rally, Capitol riotBut what about those officers who attended only the Trump rally before the riot? “If they were off-duty, it’s totally free speech,” said Will Aitchison, a lawyer in Portland, Oregon, who represents law enforcement officers. Thomas Robertson and Officer Jacob Fracker were suspended without pay and face criminal charges after posting a photo of themselves inside the Capitol during the riot. In Houston, the police chief decried an officer who resigned and was later charged in the riot. “There’s no place in law enforcement for that individual,” Aziz said.
Rocky Mount cops claim innocence during Capitol riots, but federal warrant says otherwise
Read full article: Rocky Mount cops claim innocence during Capitol riots, but federal warrant says otherwiseIn another video shared in the same conversation as the first, the warrant details that Fracker appeared to be on the outside of the Capitol. On December 19, 2020, three weeks before the riot, the warrant says Robertson commented on Facebook, “Civility has left me. Love you!”According to the warrant, the next day Robertson commented on another post, “Well....F*** you. Once....for real.... you people ACTUALLY realized who you work for.”On another post on the same day, Robertson wrote, “Peace is done. OUR HOUSE.”The next day, the warrant details that Robertson told a friend on Facebook, “I’m going to war.
Rocky Mount officer charged in Capitol riots doesn’t give up guns before court-mandated deadline
Read full article: Rocky Mount officer charged in Capitol riots doesn’t give up guns before court-mandated deadlineThe Rocky Mount police officers who went inside the Capitol during the riots were in federal court on Tuesday as a part of a long line of people who were charged from the insurrection. Jacob Fracker, 29, and Thomas Robertson, 47, each face a charge of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and a charge of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. [Photo surfaces showing two Rocky Mount police officers inside Capitol on Wednesday]While in court last week, they were ordered to give up all their guns; however, when police visited one of their homes, they found several guns inside. They will be back in court on Feb. 2.
Rocky Mount releases first statement naming officers who were inside the US Capitol
Read full article: Rocky Mount releases first statement naming officers who were inside the US CapitolROCKY MOUNT, Va. – “We stand with and add our support to those who have denounced the violence and illegal activity that took place that day.”That’s part of the joint statement released by Rocky Mount Chief of Police Ken Criner, Police Captain Mark Lovern and Town Manager James Ervin on Thursday evening. The statement comes after the federal arrest of two Rocky Mount police officers, Jacob Fracker and Thomas Robertson. The charges against both men stem from the picture above, which was taken inside the U.S. Capitol on the day the building was stormed. Thursday’s statement from Rocky Mount leaders is the first time they’ve named the two officers. Below you can read the statement in its entirety:
Two Rocky Mount police officers now each face 2 federal charges in connection with storming of US Capitol
Read full article: Two Rocky Mount police officers now each face 2 federal charges in connection with storming of US CapitolROCKY MOUNT, Va. – Two Rocky Mount Police officers now face federal charges in connection with last Wednesday’s events at the U.S. Capitol. On Wednesday afternoon, the two appeared virtually in federal court in Roanoke for their first hearing. The government wanted them to wear GPS tracking ankle bracelets, but the judge felt that was not necessary due to them being police officers and military veterans. Keep poking us.”The complaint also mentions two social media posts that 10 News showed you on Sunday afternoon. Rocky Mount Police Officer Jacob Fracker's Facebook Page captured by 10 News.
Protesters clash outside Rocky Mount Town Council meeting amid backlash over officers at Capitol
Read full article: Protesters clash outside Rocky Mount Town Council meeting amid backlash over officers at CapitolROCKY MOUNT, Va. – Two Rocky Mount police officers remain on administrative leave after a photo showing the men standing inside the U.S. Capitol the same day as the deadly riot. As of Monday night, the U.S. Capitol Police had not responded to the allegations that the two Rocky Mount officers thought they were allowed in. A 10 News crew was there Monday night as two opposing groups of protesters clashed outside the Rocky Mount Town Council meeting. Scene outside Rocky Mount Town Council meeting Here's a look outside tonight's Rocky Mount Town Council meeting where our Lindsey Kennett WSLS 10 News says there are Black Lives Matter supporters and protesters who support the two officers who were photographed at the Capitol on Wednesday. During Monday night’s virtual meeting, Rocky Mount Town Council did not discuss what would happen to the officers, who are both placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Photo surfaces showing two Rocky Mount police officers inside Capitol on Wednesday
Read full article: Photo surfaces showing two Rocky Mount police officers inside Capitol on WednesdayROCKY MOUNT, Va. – UPDATE - Wednesday 1/13Both men now face federal charges in connection with last Wednesday’s events at the U.S. Capitol. UPDATE - Monday 1/11A photo of two Rocky Mount police officers at the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday has caused people to speak out both in support of and against the officers. Rocky Mount town leaders remained silent Monday, although that may change as the Town Council hosts a regularly scheduled council meeting Monday night. That includes in our area, where an activist shared this post on Facebook Saturday night questioning if two Rocky Mount police officers went inside the Capitol that day. Screenshot obtained by 10 News shows activist, Bridgette Craighead's viral post about the two Rocky Mount police officers.