Central Indiana man pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A central Indiana man pleaded guilty Friday to carrying a loaded gun on the Capitol grounds and assaulting police during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, federal prosecutors said.

Mark Andrew Mazza, 57, of Shelbyville pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia.

Court documents say Mazza brought a revolver loaded with three shotgun shells and two hollow point bullets to the Capitol but lost possession of the revolver. He made his way to a tunnel area with doors leading into the Capitol Building and joined a collective effort of rioters to push through at least 20 officers who were defending the tunnel entrance, records say.

He held a door to allow other rioters to attack officers with flag poles, batons, sticks and stolen law enforcement shields, records say. He wrestled a baton from an officer's hand and swung it, striking one officer in the arm, records say.

Mazza was pushed out of the tunnel by police, records say.

Mazza was arrested Nov. 17 at his home in Shelbyville. He is due to be sentenced on Sept. 30 and faces a possible maximum penalty of five years on the firearms charge and 20 years on the other charge, prosecutors said. Both charges also carry potential financial penalties.

At least 10 other people with Indiana ties have been arrested and charged in connection with the riot.