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Who is Patrick Edward McCaughey? Connecticut man who crushed cop with riot shield at Capitol violence arrested

Prosecutors say that McCaughey pinned DC Metropolitan officer Daniel Hodges to the Capitol's lower west terrace while a mob tried to enter

The Donald Trump presidency may have ended, but the new administration is still actively on the hunt for the rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6. There have been several arrests already made and the most recent one was that of a Connecticut man.

Patrick Edward McCaughey was arrested on counts of assaulting a police officer, civil disorder, breaking into restricted grounds and disorderly conduct. According to the Justice Department, he would be presented in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on Wednesday before appearing in Washington, DC. As per an NPR report, prosecutors say that McCaughey pinned DC Metropolitan officer Daniel Hodges to the Capitol's lower west terrace while a mob tried to enter. Videos show Hodgers being pressed against the door. The clip that saw him bleeding from the mouth went viral.

Assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, Steven D'Antuono said, "Patrick McCaughey's actions were violent, barbaric, and completely out of control. The FBI will relentlessly pursue individuals who took part in this activity and we will continue our unwavering commitment to ensure all those responsible for assaults on law enforcement officers are brought to justice." He also added: "Even after days of seeing so many shocking and horrific scenes from the siege on the U.S. Capitol, the savage beating of [Officer Hodges] stands out for the perpetrator's blatant disregard for human life." 

Who is Patrick Edward McCaughey?

A CNBC report offers some details about the 23-year-old from Ridgefield. The site said the suspect holds German citizenship along with his US citizenship. The attorney noted that McCaughey had made the honor roll in high school. He played football and had family ties in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

He works with his father, Patrick, in general contracting projects. Investigators say they were able to identify him with a tip from someone who knew McCaughey. Patrick reportedly hung up on a CNBC reporter when he was contacted for a comment. 

The Daily Beast says that McCaughey was seen telling the officer to "just go home dude" in one of the videos. He’s also heard saying “don’t try and use that stick on me boy” while continuing to crush Hodges. “You see me. Just go home. Talk to your buddies and go home…. Don’t try to use that stick on me. I am not hurting you,” McCaughey says in a video, according to the complaint.

McCaughey was arrested by FBI agents at his father's second home in South Salem, NY. A prosecutor said McCaughey's brown jacket that he was seen wearing in the video was obtained when he was arrested. He was held without bail when the judge deemed him as a danger to the community. "What we see in the video is incredibly disturbing,” the judge said. "The weight of the evidence against Mr. McCaughey is extremely strong.” The prosecutor had said McCaughey faces the possibility of a prison sentence of a minimum of five years or more if he pleads guilty, or at least seven years if he is convicted after trial.