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Authorities arrested a Wisconsin man for his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot after he bragged online about pepper-spraying law enforcement, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Riley D. Kasper, 23, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly assaulting law enforcement using a deadly or dangerous weapon on Jan. 6. The Department of Justice said Kasper posted on social media following the riot, saying pepper-spraying a cop was "satisfying," the agency said in a statement.
"You charge that line and start spraying they start running for cover like you're coming at them with an ak" and "there is definitely something satisfying about pepper spraying cops in riot gear ...," Kasper wrote on social media, according to court documents.
Kasper was the most recent arrest in the DOJ's pursuit of individuals allegedly involved with the Capitol riot. At least 775 people have been arrested, including more than 245 charged with assaulting or impeding an officer. The DOJ said about 140 police officers were assaulted during the riot.
While officers were attempting to secure the Capitol, Kasper allegedly sprayed what authorities believed to be pepper spray toward law enforcement officers. Later that day, Kasper went online and allegedly talked with another individual about the events claiming officers had to leave the Capitol because of how badly he got them.
"I pepper sprayed 3 cops so bad they got undressed and went home," Kasper told another individual on social media, according to court documents.
Kasper said he had "fought cops all day" and had been "pepper sprayed more times than I can count."
The 28-year-old described the riots as "pretty exciting." Kasper compared it to a game of paintball but with pepper spray, flashbangs and tear gas containers thrown back at police. He added there was a huge team of people who had "your back" and would "beat the cops off of you if they ever get ahold of you," according to the court documents.
Kasper added he was "on a war path" with Capitol police. He tried to mace an officer after he pepper-sprayed him in the face, but he couldn't open his eyes. Kasper also said was hit with batons and shot with rubber bullets.
During another incident, Kasper said he stole a radio from an officer while everything was being ripped off his body after the officer was pulled into the crowd and slammed onto the ground. He said he took out his baton and got right into the officer's face on the ground screaming at him to leave, which he claims the officer did.
"I'm pretty sure dude thought he was gonna die that day lol," Kasper said, according to the court documents.
Kasper faces five charges for his alleged role in the riot, including acts of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, engaging in physical violence with a deadly or dangerous, and assaulting, resisting or impeding officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon.
The 28-year-old is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Thursday in the Western District of Wisconsin.
Update 3/17/22, 4:13 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
