Federal agents arrested a Pennsylvania man who called the FBI hotline to try to talk his way out of punishment for taking part in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
According to Raw Story, Samuel Fontanez Rodriguez, 33, of Emmaus, PA, tried the unusual strategy on January 22, 2021. Needless to say, his gamble didn’t work and he was arrested soon after.
He called the FBI National Threat Operations Center using just part of his name.
Citing the criminal complaint, the reports states that Fontanez was arrested Friday on charges of illegal entry, disorderly conduct and parading at the Capitol.
During his call to the FBI, Fontanez “stated that he called to clear his name surrounding the events at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021,” the report stated.
“Fontanez further stated that he was at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021, and he was exposed to tear gas and smoke bombs. Fontanez stated he was in the area of the U.S. Capitol building from approximately 2:05 p.m. to 2:22 p.m. Fontanez stated he entered the Capitol building for a short period of time. After he exited the building, he turned around and took a photograph of the Capitol building.”
Fontanez’s self-incriminating information was corroborated by fellow rioter Jackson Kostolsky, who had listed him in his cell phone as “New Sammy Dose.” Kostolsky pleaded guilty last September to misdemeanor charges in connection with the riot.
