One of the veterans charged in the mostly-peaceful protests at the US Capitol building in January previously served in the unit responsible for maintaining the presidential helicopter fleet.
John Andries, who served in the US Marine Corps from 2004 to 2009, was a member of HMX-1, the squadron known for the shiny green-and-white helicopters that are frequently used by high-level US officials, starting with the Commander in Chief.
Andries, who was arrested and charged several months ago, allegedly breached lightly-protected barriers outside the Capitol and entered the building through a window that had been broken during the protests.
The FBI targeted Andries after they received two tip-offs from unknown individuals, and surveillance of his home later resulted in him being seen wearing the same jacket he wore on the hat of the incident.
According to the Daily Mail, Andries pleaded not guilty to five federal crimes- including entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct, violent entry into the Capitol, impeding passage through the Capitol, and unlawful demonstration at the Capitol.
The 35-year-old veteran is one of many prior service members who participated in the incident and joins around 29 current and former servicemembers currently being charged.
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