Seminole County man faces federal judge Monday, charged in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol riot

ORLANDO, Fla. — On Monday, a Seminole County man was in federal court in Orlando, charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot at the United States Capitol.

John Nassif is charged with two federal counts for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

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According to the federal indictment, on Jan. 9 someone reported a Facebook post from Nassif in which he talked about finding himself inside the U.S. Capitol Building. In the post, Nassif stated that the Rotunda was nearly filled with people, no one was fighting or being violent, and then there was more pushing, so he decided to leave.

Channel 9 was in the courtroom today when Nassif appeared before a judge.

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Nassif appeared without a mask, and asked the judge if it was OK not to wear it. The just told him that he didn’t have an issue with itas long as his public defender didn’t.

In the indictment, the FBI also released photos of Nassif in the Rotunda.

According to his Facebook page, Nassif owns his own business and plays harmonica in the Black Hammock Band.

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Channel 9 caught up with a maskless Nassif as he was leaving the courthouse, and we asked if he could tell us anything about the case.

“Yeah, you guys are pathetic,” Nassif said,

When asked why he thought that, Nassif responded, “Cause you are leeches.”

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Nassif is charged with a federal crime for entering a restricted building without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol Grounds.

If Nassif is convicted, he faces up to a year in prison.

Cox Media Group