Washington, DC - A California man has been arrested for conspiracy and other crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Edward Badalian, 27, of Los Angeles, California, is charged in an indictment with conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, tampering with documents or proceedings, and other offenses. The indictment was unsealed today in the District of Columbia. Badalian was arrested on Nov. 17, 2021, in Los Angeles and made his initial court appearance in the Central District of California. He was arraigned on Nov. 23 in the District of Columbia.
Badalian was charged in a superseding indictment returned in a case initially filed in March 2021 against Daniel Rodriguez, 39, of Fontana, California. Rodriguez was indicted at that time on charges including the assault of Metropolitan Police Department Officer Michael Fanone. The superseding indictment adds a conspiracy charge against him. Rodriguez has been detained since his arrest on March 31, 2021. He was arraigned on Nov. 16 ,2021, in the District of Columbia.
According to the indictment, in the fall of 2020, Badalian, Rodriguez and others created a Telegram group chat, called the “Patriots 45 MAGA Gang,” and used it as a platform to advocate violence against certain groups and individuals that that either supported the 2020 Presidential election results, supported what the group perceived as liberal, or communist ideologies, or held positions of authority in government. The group’s activities included collecting weapons and tactical gear to bring to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, storming past barricades to gain unlawful access to the Capitol, and coordinating activities before, during, and after the riot. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to stop, delay, and hinder Congress’s Certification of the Electoral College Vote as well as to prevent evidence from being used in the investigation of their activities.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Justice Department’s National Security Division prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. The FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices are investigating the case, with valuable assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police.
In the 10 months since Jan. 6, more than 675 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 210 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The charges contained in any criminal complaint or indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.