Naples man facing felony charges related to Jan. 6 riots

Writer: Tim Belizaire
Published: Updated:
Naples Pearlman
Credit: U.S. Department of Justice

A day after a Fort Myers Beach man was arrested for allegedly assaulting police during the Jan. 6 insurrection, a Naples man has been arrested on similar charges.

The FBI arrested Zachary Pearlman in Naples, and he will make an initial appearance in the Middle District of Florida.

According to court documents, Pearlman was allegedly seen on U.S. Capitol CCTV entering via the Rotunda Doors around 2:45 p.m. He allegedly worked his way through a crowd to get himself closer to a line of officers until he was facing off with the police.

Court documents state that Pearlman extended his left arm and pushed against a police officer’s riot shield.

He then allegedly left the Rotunda and returned to the area inside the Rotunda doors. He then rubbed his eyes and appeared to feel the effects of a chemical irritant.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

The FBI’s New York and Washington Field Offices are investigating the case.

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