Metro North employee in custody after identified as rioter during Capitol siege
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A Metro North employee who was identified as one of the rioters at the Capitol last week has been taken into custody.
Will Pepe, 31, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon in the Hudson Valley and will appear in federal court in White Plains.
"Participation in the riot which resulted in deadly violence at the Capitol last week was abhorrent to the values of the MTA and New Yorkers, and those who attacked that symbol of American democracy disqualified themselves from working for the People of New York," MTA Communications Director Tim Minton said in a statement. "Mr. Pepe is entitled to due process and was suspended last week as part of that process. We are cooperating with federal law enforcement agencies in their investigation and prosecution of those involved."
The MTA employee was recognized by both colleagues and management from a photo distributed by law enforcement.
MTA management moved swiftly, and Pepe was suspended without pay and charges are expected to be filed this week.
"Effective immediately this individual has been suspended from Metro-North without pay and will be disciplined in accordance with his collective bargaining agreement pending an investigation," said Ken Lovett of the MTA. "This alleged conduct is abhorrent and goes against the values of Metro-North, New York and the nation."
Pepe called in sick last Wednesday to attend the Capitol protest, which is false use of sick leave.
RELATED: Social media videos show chaos, violence on frontlines of US Capitol clashes
The 31-year-old Pepe was hired six years ago.
He is a laborer assigned to a machine shop in Putnam County.
RELATED: 'One of the darkest days in American history': Local officials react to breaching of US Capitol
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