A pro-Trump rioter who was arrested in February told his family that he planned to pose as a member of Antifa to get into the Capitol, then bragged to them about his successful scheme, text messages part of a federal criminal complaint released Feb. 25 show.
William Robert Norwood, also boasted to his family about attacking “shitty” police officers who stood in his way, according to the messages, which were released in a federal criminal complaint. He was arrested the same day as the complaint was released on charges of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, obstruction of justice and Congress, theft of government property and more.
“I’m dressing in all black,” Norwood said in a group chat the day before the riot, the complaint said. “I’ll look just like ANTIFA. I’ll get away with anything.”
The day after the riot, after Norwood joined the mob that successfully stormed the building, forcing lawmakers, staff, reporters and others to flee for their lives, Norwood texted the group chat again. He bragged about his successful plot, telling the chat that “it worked,” the complaint said. (RELATED: Capitol Rioter Who Was Fired After Wearing His Company Badge Turns Himself In)
“I got away with things that others were shot and arrested for,” he said, adding that he assaulted cops who only responded after he put on a “Make American Great Again” cap.
“I fought 4 cops, they did nothing. When I put my red hat on, they pepper balled me,” he said.
Norwood also boasted about how he stole officers’ gear, and sent a photo of himself wearing a police vest, according to the complaint.
Federal agents relied on Norwood’s texts to strengthen their case against him, noting the seeming contradiction between his taking credit for attacking police officers while simultaneously blaming the attacks on left-wing agitators. (RELATED: DC Police Chief: Capitol Riot Was Scarier For Officers Than Iraq)
Norwood’s brother, who was part of the group chat where he sent his incriminating messages, alerted another family member of the texts, the complaint said. That family member then contacted the authorities.
The FBI added in the complaint that Norwood’s cell phone was active around the Capitol on Jan. 6, and that Norwood admitted that he was in the building in a Feb. 22 interview preceding his eventual arrest. Surveillance photos included in the complaint also showed Norwood standing in the rotunda wearing a camouflage jacket over a black vest and his red “Make America Great Again” hat.
Trump supporters clash with police while storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. (Kaylee Greenlee/DCNF)
Norwood told the FBI during his interview that he tried to help police officers, saying that he told them “I’m on your side,” the complaint said. Authorities, however, said that his text messages boasting about fighting officers directly contradicted that account. (RELATED: FBI Memo Warned Of Possible Violence Ahead Of Capitol Riot)
After his brother criticized him for his taking part in the riot and contradictory comments, Norwood defended his attacks against the officers.
“The one cop who deserved it, got it,” Norwood said, according to the complaint. “The cops who acted shitty, they got exactly what they deserved.”
“Unbelievable,” his brother replied.
The Capitol riot left five dead, including a Capitol Police officer. Two other officers committed suicide in the hours after.
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