MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle man among first indicted for role in siege of US Capitol building

Jan 13, 2021, 12:05 PM

Capitol siege...

Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana File)

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana File)

A former Washington state National Guardsman from Seattle is among the first people indicted for their role in the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol building.

Seattle man charged with assaulting federal officer during Capitol riot

Mark Jefferson Leffingwell, 51, was arrested while inside the Capitol in the wake of the riot, and was later charged with assaulting a federal officer, entering a restricted building, and disorderly conduct.

His indictment was issued by a federal grand jury on Monday, adding a second count of assault, as well as violent entry into a Capitol building, felony civil disobedience, and involvement in an act of violence in a Capitol building.

Leffingwell allegedly struck Capitol police officer Daniel Amendola in the helmet and chest when Amendola tried to stop him from entering the building, according to the DOJ. In a criminal complaint, Amendola stated: “When he was deterred from advancing further into the building, Leffingwell punched me repeatedly with a closed fist. I was struck in the helmet that I was wearing and in the chest.”

Man arrested at WA capitol part of group at governor’s mansion

According to the Seattle Times, Leffingwell served in the Washington National Guard between 2005 and 2009, before he was honorably discharged. After his arrest, he was reportedly released to a third party custodian, and will have to check in with pretrial services every week leading into his trial.

Federal authorities plan to file charges against hundreds of people allegedly involved in the Capitol riot, as part of an effort spearheaded by a “strike force of prosecutors whose only orders are to build sedition charges related to the most heinous acts that occurred in the Capitol,” acting District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said in a recent press conference. A conviction for sedition comes with a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

MyNorthwest News

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

18 minutes ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

2 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

2 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

3 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

6 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

7 hours ago

Seattle man among first indicted for role in siege of US Capitol building